Parents might cut back on screen time at home, but screens in schools are another story. In the U.S., 81% of elementary teachers report that students “receive devices in class by kindergarten,” according to the New York Times. Chromebooks and iPads have simply become standard classroom learning tools—but inevitably, they’re entertainment, too. Parents report that they see YouTube is being used during school thanks to device monitoring apps, or their kids are coming home repeating common YouTube phrases (“like and subscribe!”). Some also worry about instructional videos, gamified learning apps, or their kids spending social time like recess looking at a screen. Opinions and research on how much screen time kids should have (if any) is conflicting; it can benefit the learning process but can also be a source of disconnection. Still, several states are reevaluating the role of tech in the classroom, setting more limits for the youngest students or not sending devices home each day. (NYT)
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