At school and at home, screens are part of students’ daily lives. Community concerns continue to grow around student screen time, but what is perception and what is reality? This session examines current K-12 screen time trends using national district data and practical district experience. Attendees will explore how much time students actually spend on district-issued devices, how usage varies by grade level, and how instructional screen time differs from entertainment or distractions. The conversation will move beyond minutes and focus on purpose, examining the difference between passive consumption and active, curriculum-driven engagement. Presenters will also address common concerns and misconceptions from parents and policymakers, the impact of cell phone restrictions, and how districts can communicate clear expectations around digital use. Strategies for establishing guardrails through content filtering, classroom management, and digital citizenship will be shared, along with approaches to engaging families in productive dialogue. Participants will leave with practical steps to evaluate their own data, frame community conversations, and create balanced screen time practices that support learning while promoting student well-being and ensuring all students have appropriate access to the tools they need.
