As a parent of an elementary school student in District 97, I am mindful of technology use at home. We don’t have iPads, limit TV time, and prioritize tech-free activities. But lately I’ve been thinking about the screen time my child is getting on her school-issued iPad. In a recent conversation with our school’s principal, I learned that D97 does not implement any time restrictions on these devices. There are guidelines, but no official limits in place.
The research on technology in education is worth paying attention to. Students in grades 1-12 now average 98 minutes daily on school-issued devices – over 20% of instructional time, according to the Wall Street Journal, peaking at nearly 2½ hours in sixth grade. Yet studies have generally found that digital tools have not improved academic results.
UNESCO and others warn that overreliance on technology can impede learning. A March 2026 analysis from the Curriculum Insight Project found that reading comprehension is lower when young children read on screens, and that states with the strongest recent reading outcomes have maintained low-tech, book-centered approaches.
Schools across the country are re-evaluating heavy classroom technology use, and our community should be doing the same – especially in elementary schools, where the stakes are high. Classroom technology can reduce attention spans, create distractions, and limit social interaction, impeding the development of meaningful relationships with peers and teachers.
I’ve reached out to D97’s curriculum director and technology officer to learn what steps they’re taking, including whether they’ll restrict screen time on school iPads, offer parent monitoring tools, or send families usage reports. I’ve also asked my child’s teacher and principal to help limit screen time and prioritize analog learning in the classroom.
I know I’m not alone. If you have a child in our local schools, I’d encourage you to ask these same questions. And if you share these concerns, I’d love to connect, because a community of voices is heard more clearly than one. Our kids deserve nothing less.
Sources:
The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/schools-phone-screens-technology-research-c268bda5
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/technology/chromebook-remorse-kansas-school-laptops.https://curriculuminsightproject.substack.com/p/to-future-proof-your-curriculum-go
Brenna Connor
Oak Park
If you share my concerns and want to get in touch, my email is brennamconnor@gmail.com.