Many parents have embraced \u2014 and advocated for\u2014 less technology in the classroom, but questions remain about how LAUSD will enforce the screen time limits and the potential for unintended consequences for students who have less access to devices outside of school.<\/p>\n
Below we break down what we know about LAUSD\u2019s new screen time policy.<\/p>\n
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What part of the screen time limits start in August?<\/p>\n
The policy<\/a> eliminates digital device usage for students in early education (preschool), transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten and first grade.<\/p>\n There are several exceptions, including:<\/p>\n District- and state-mandated assessments.\u00a0Students enrolled in the LAUSD Virtual Academy program.\u00a0To help students with disabilities learn, as mandated by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n Students will not be automatically issued devices to take home. However, there is still a process for families to request one.<\/p>\n The policy also requires the district to block all students from accessing YouTube, social media and streaming platforms without teacher approval.<\/p>\n The type of work students bring home may change, too. The policy encourages educators to provide off-screen assignments.<\/p>\n \u201cHomework should prioritize reading, writing, problem-solving, hands-on activities, observation, and other learning experiences that can be completed without the use of a device,\u201d the policy reads<\/a>.<\/p>\n Andr\u00e9s Chait, the district\u2019s superintendent, said at a July 21 news conference that implementing the new policy will take time.<\/p>\n \u201cOn Aug. 12, you may not necessarily see in the immediate all of the changes that the policy calls for, but they will be implemented methodically and transparently,\u201d Chait said.<\/p>\n Where did the screen time policy come from?<\/p>\n A group of Los Angeles parents organized a group called Schools Beyond Screens<\/a> in 2025 and started speaking at board meetings<\/a>, collecting petition signatures and advocating for the district to limit student device use<\/a>.<\/p>\n Melvoin brought forward the resolution that ultimately led to the new policy in April<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had not recalibrated or reset our relationship with technology post-COVID,\u201d said Melvoin, at the time. \u201cSix years ago, we sent every kid in L.A. home with a device, which was a lifeline. \u2026 But when they came back, I’m still seeing kids as young as preschool on devices all day.\u201d<\/p>\n The board adopted the policy in June<\/a> after staff conducted research and outreach to parents, educators and community members.<\/p>\n How much does it cost to limit screen time?<\/p>\n District staff estimated the most significant costs include<\/a> up to $4 million in one-time funds to purchase carts to store laptops in elementary school classrooms and an annual $1 million to pay for software to track screen time and block content.<\/p>\n The district has yet to spend this money, according to a statement from a Los Angeles Unified spokesperson.<\/p>\n \u201cConversations with schools will take place in the early part of the upcoming school year to assess needs on a school-by-school basis,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n Was there any pushback to the new policy?<\/p>\n The board voted unanimously to adopt the screen time policy with the exception of Board President Scott Schmerelson, who recused himself from the vote.<\/p>\n However, there was some discussion about whether the limitations would have unintended consequences for teachers and students.<\/p>\n Board Vice President Roc\u00edo Rivas cautioned that the minute limits may discourage teachers from assigning multimedia projects, and adds the burden of monitoring student technology use.<\/p>\n \u201cSchools may end up focusing on counting minutes, documenting usage, auditing classrooms instead of evaluating learning outcomes,\u201d Rivas said.<\/p>\n LAUSD staff\u2019s analysis of the screen time policy<\/a> noted a \u201crisk of slowing access to technology and its advancement for students to compete with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n During public comment in June, Mireya Garcia, a mother and grandmother, told the board that her family shares a single computer at home.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want them to lose access to tools that can help them read, to learn and to be successful,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n How are teachers preparing for the changes?<\/p>\n LAUSD adopted the screen time policy when most teachers and students were off-campus for the summer.<\/p>\n A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that training has started with \u201cdedicated sessions\u201d for principals and administrators and that more resources will be available to educators before Aug.12 and throughout the school year.<\/p>\n \u201cThis approach allows us to be respectful of educators\u2019 time while ensuring schools are prepared and supported for a successful rollout,\u201d the spokesperson wrote.<\/p>\n The first opportunity for most teachers to return to their classroom is on Monday, Aug. 10, two days before school starts.<\/p>\n Stephanie Levinson, who\u2019s taught at San Fernando Elementary for 28 years, said she has not received any additional guidance from the district since the policy was passed this summer.<\/p>\n This year, she\u2019ll teach a combined first- and second-grade class. Under the new policy, first graders do not have access to digital devices and second graders can use them for up to 20 minutes per day this year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s stressful because we don’t know,\u201d Levinson said. \u201cIt’s hard to plan a school day when we’re not sure what’s gonna be mandated, how things are gonna work.\u201d<\/p>\n Levinson said that, in the past, she\u2019d assign students to use interactive learning programs like ABCmouse while she worked with their peers in small groups. She also fundraised to bring laptops and tablets to her classroom, where most students come from low-income families, before the devices were widespread in the district.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a kid hasn’t learned how to even use a computer or type, how are they going to\u2026not be disadvantaged against kids that have computers?\u201d Levinson said.<\/p>\n How can families get access to a digital device?<\/p>\n Parents and guardians can request a take-home device when enrolling their child<\/a> or through the district\u2019s Parent Portal app or website<\/a>.<\/p>\n