What is Parents Concerned About Screen Time?
We are parents who have grown increasingly frustrated by books and teachers being gradually replaced by Chromebooks and screens in our schools.
We watched what happened during COVID. We saw how difficult it was for children to learn through laptops for hours each day. We saw distraction replace focus, isolation replace interaction, and screen fatigue replace curiosity. This effort was launched to give parents a voice.
We believe children learn best through human interaction, discussion, creativity, movement, and hands-on experiences—not endless scrolling, clicking, and digital distractions.
Our mission is simple: to share research regarding screen use in schools and support school board members who are committed to advocating for responsible technology use that benefits students. Our primary focus is advocacy in Virginia Beach public schools, but we are open to expanding our reach.
We are not against technology. We believe technology has a place in education. We also believe balance matters and that children deserve learning environments that prioritize attention, engagement, and real-world connection over constant device use and the gamification of learning.
Considerations for the decision-makers:
What does current research say about screen use in schools and its impact on learning outcomes?
Which types of screen use are actually beneficial for students, and which are distracting?
What are the community desires related to screen time and school-issued devices?
How much screen time do you consider to be appropriate during the school day by age group or grade level?
What does “responsible use of technology” actually look like in a classroom setting? How is this being monitored?
How can school boards evaluate whether a tech program is improving student performance?
What policies can school boards adopt to prevent overuse or misuse of devices?
How do we balance digital learning tools with traditional teaching methods?