Alabama, DC Examine Classroom Screen Time

Alabama’s Governor’s Commission on Screen-Based Instruction is seeking input from parents, educators and school leaders to guide recommendations on classroom technology, with officials saying parent perspectives are especially needed. In Washington, D.C., a council hearing examined how schools use AI and manage screen time, drawing advocates who say students should learn to use AI responsibly and critics who warn of risks to learning and well-being. Research summarized in a report on preschoolers links greater screen exposure with lower academic achievement and language development, as well as more emotional and behavioral difficulties; pediatric guidance recommends no more than one hour a day for children ages 2–5. Educators interviewed in the report emphasized coordination between families and teachers and making room for movement, outdoor exploration and play. A contrasting edtech perspective argues that schools should focus on whether screen use is purposeful and educational, rather than seeking to reduce screen time alone.