Los Angeles school board votes to limit classroom screen time

The Los Angeles unified school district headquarters building in Los Angeles in 2021/ File: Damian Dovarganes/AP

According to The Guardian, the measure was passed in a 6–0 vote during Tuesday’s board meeting. It will establish daily and weekly screen time limits based on grade level, ban device use during class time, lunch, and recess for elementary and middle school students, and block YouTube on district-issued devices.

The new screen time policy is expected to take effect in the 2026–2027 school year, pending final approval.

LAUSD, with more than 520,000 enrolled students, is the second-largest school district in the United States. Students in the district currently have access to Chromebooks and iPads for online learning.

The resolution’s co-authors cited research from the American Academy of Pediatrics linking excessive screen time to rising anxiety and depression, difficulties in emotional regulation, lower academic achievement, and reduced attention spans. The organization has not set specific screen time limits for teenagers due to a lack of clear evidence on such thresholds. The academy recommends that parents encourage screen-free time at home and guide children toward high-quality digital content that supports learning and social development.