Tennessee Teachers Push For Less Screentime In Classrooms

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Tennessee Conservative News Staff –

Tennessee educators are working with state legislators to regulate screen time in classrooms.

Members of the Professional Educators of Tennessee have been in talks with state officials, pushing for a more traditional approach to learning, especially in kindergarten through fifth grade.

JC Bowman, executive directors of the group, says he expects those conversations to continue.

“We live in a technology age. We support technology. We think it’s needed. Teachers need technology to do their jobs effectively. It’s not going to disappear. We just need to figure out how to reduce that amount,” Bowman said.

Bowman noted the increasing costs of technology use on school districts, as well as the struggle for students to stay focused and for teachers to effectively monitor use.

The discussion takes place as lawmakers have already passed new legislation that would help minimize unnecessary screen time in grades K-5, allowing for use as part of a targeted intervention plan, virtual learning, or special education accommodation. The law also blocks student access to social media during school hours for younger students.

Legislators also passed the “Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act” in the previous legislative session, requiring the Tennessee Department of Education to create guidance for public schools and public charter schools in the instruction of students in grades 6-12 on social media and internet safety.