Across the country, state leaders are considering legislation that could significantly change how technology is used in K–12 schools. From cell phone restrictions to broader screen time limits, policymakers are grappling with questions about student well-being, academic outcomes, digital access, and workforce readiness. In Part 1 of this two-part CoSN podcast series, we explore the policy landscape and research driving the national conversation around screen time in schools. Drawing from CoSN's webinar, Screen Time in Schools: A Policy Briefing for State Leaders, this episode examines emerging state legislation, the growing debate around instructional technology, and what current research tells us about technology's role in teaching and learning. Listeners will hear insights from education leaders and researchers as they discuss why not all screen time is the same, how instructional technology differs from social media and entertainment platforms, and why thoughtful policy decisions require a deeper understanding of how technology is actually being used in classrooms. Topics discussed include the rapid growth of state-level screen time legislation, the distinction between cell phone bans and instructional technology policies, active versus passive technology use, the importance of implementation, and examples of how technology can support learning when used intentionally and effectively. Participants Featured in Part 1: • Keith R. Krueger, CEO, CoSN• Ivo Popov, Senior Vice President, Whiteboard Advisors• Beth Holland, Managing Director, Research & Policy, FullScale• Jeremy Roschelle, Co-Executive Director, Learning Sciences Research, Digital Promise Key Talking Points: • The growing movement among states to regulate student screen use• Why cell phone restrictions and instructional technology policies are fundamentally different conversations• Not all screen time is the same; context, purpose, and design matter• The distinction between educational technology, social media, and entertainment platforms• Active versus passive technology use in learning environments• Why correlation does not equal causation in screen time research• Examples of instructional technology improving student outcomes through feedback and targeted support• The importance of balancing student well-being with meaningful learning opportunities Referenced Resources: • CoSN Screen Time Resource Center• Digital Promise: The Digital Learning Gap• SETDA: State EdTech Trends 2026• Whiteboard Advisors: Youth Tech Policy Track Coming Up in Part 2: The conversation moves from policy and research into real-world implementation. Hear from state leaders, classroom educators, accessibility experts, and digital citizenship advocates as they discuss how screen time policies impact students, teachers, schools, and communities. Topics include accessibility, digital citizenship, teacher voice, student agency, unintended consequences, and what balanced technology policies look like in practice. Call to Action: Watch the full webinar recording. Share this episode with policymakers, district leaders, and education stakeholders. Explore CoSN's Screen Time Resource Center and policy briefing materials to support informed, balanced decision-making around technology use in schools. Produced in partnership with edCircuit. CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
