Beyond the Ban: Insights from the "Screen Time in Schools" Policy Briefing

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April 7, 2026, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) hosted Screen Time in Schools to address the wave of legislation currently sweeping through education systems. While the session was held for state leaders, its core findings are vital for primary and secondary educators worldwide who are navigating the tension between digital innovation and student well-being.

Executive Summary: The Global Shift in EdTech Policy

The briefing moved past the simple "on/off" debate, providing a research-grounded framework for the future of digital learning. Here are the essential takeaways:

The Quantitative vs. Qualitative Trap: Legislators are increasingly proposing "caps" (e.g., 60 minutes per day). However, the briefing highlighted that research does not support blunt time limits. Instead, we must evaluate what students are doing.

• Active Learning: Creating, coding, and using adaptive math tools.
• Passive Consumption: Infinite scrolling or non-interactive video watching.

The Legislative Landscape: In early 2026, we’ve seen extreme shifts—from Kansas’s prohibition of digital devices in grades K-5 to Utah’s mandates for a balance of "analog" methods. The global lesson is that "substitution" (replacing paper with a PDF) is often the root of parent frustration.

Defining Digital Agency: Rather than relying on "digital prohibition," schools should focus on "digital agency." This means teaching students the internal discipline to manage their own technology use—a skill far more critical for the future workforce than a forced ban.

Evidence-Based Decision Making: The convening organizations called for a "Revolutionary Shift" in how EdTech is evaluated. Schools must demand evidence of impact from vendors and move away from general-purpose apps that prioritize engagement over learning.

Referenced Links

• CoSN: Screen Time Resource Center – Access the policy briefs and research summaries discussed in the April 7 briefing.
• Digital Promise: The Digital Learning Gap – Research on how to ensure technology use promotes equity rather than widening the divide.
• SETDA: State EdTech Trends 2026 – A summary of current legislative trends regarding device bans and screen time caps.
• Whiteboard Advisors: Youth Tech Policy Track – The policy firm providing real-time tracking of screen-time legislation.

Relevant Google Resources

• Be Internet Awesome – A foundational curriculum for teaching students digital safety and intentionality.
• Google for Education: Digital Wellbeing Course – Free training for educators to help students build healthy digital habits.
• Classroom Practice Sets – An example of "Active EdTech" that uses AI to provide guided, interactive feedback.
• The Future of Education Report – Google’s global research on reimagining learning design and personalized pathways.

Meet the Conveners & Speakers

• Keith Krueger – CEO of CoSN. A global leader in school system technology, Keith has led CoSN for over 30 years, focusing on the infrastructure and policy needed for effective digital transitions.
• Julia Fallon – Executive Director of SETDA. Julia leads the coalition of state educational technology leaders, advocating for equitable access and high-quality digital learning across all 50 states.
• Jean-Claude Brizard – President & CEO of Digital Promise. A former superintendent, Jean-Claude focuses on closing the Digital Learning Gap through research, innovation, and a commitment to learner variability.
• Bart Epstein – CEO of FullScale. An expert in EdTech evidence and evaluation, Bart focuses on ensuring that the technology used in classrooms is proven to be effective for student outcomes.