Across the country, state leaders are considering legislation to limit or ban screen time in K–12 schools. These proposals raise complex questions about student well-being, academic outcomes, digital access, and workforce readiness-issues that have significant implications for the future of teaching and learning.

To support thoughtful policymaking and inform this rapidly evolving public discussion, CoSN, Digital Promise, FullScale, and SETDA are convening a national policy briefing designed specifically for state education agency leaders and policymakers–creating space for informed discussion grounded in research, policy, and the operational realities of state education systems.

At a moment when policymakers across the country are debating the role of technology in classrooms, this briefing will provide state leaders with balanced, research-informed perspectives to help guide thoughtful policy decisions.

Access the non-slide recording here.

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.

Participants:

Keith R. Krueger, CEO CoSN

Evo Popoff, SVP at Whiteboard Advisors

Beth Holland, Managing Director, Research Policy at FullScale

Stacy Hawthorne, CoSN Chair

Jeremy Rochelle, Co-Executive Director at Learning Sciences Research

Sydnee Dickson, Former Utah Superintendent

Julia Fallon, Executive Director at SETDA

Michelle Soriano, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist at CAST

Cooper Sved, elementary educator, education policy analyst, and 2025 CoSN Blaschki Fellow

Alyssa Moore, Delaware Department of Education

Key Talking Points

Not all screen time is the same; policy must reflect different uses and impacts

Instructional technology plays a critical role in learning, accessibility, and future readiness

Broad restrictions may create unintended consequences for teaching and learning

Schools must build trust through transparency and communication

The goal is balance and intentional use, not elimination

Call to Action

Watch the recording

Share with policymakers and district leaders

Explore the full CoSN policy briefing

Assets:

CoSN Webinar Screen Time in Schools: Policy Briefing for State Leaders

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠