The Wake County Board of Education announced it will take a closer look at screen‑time use inside classrooms during its Tuesday meeting. The decision follows a recent district‑wide survey that highlighted growing concerns among teachers and administrators about the amount of time students spend on laptops, tablets and smartphones during the school day.

Survey findings raise questions about attention and learning

According to the survey, high school students in the county spend as much as 90 minutes per school day on their personal devices. The average student also spends 39 minutes per day watching videos on YouTube. Teachers reported that the constant presence of screens can compete with instructional time, making it harder to keep students focused on core lessons.

Board members plan to hear from educators and families

At the upcoming meeting, students, teachers and school leaders will share their perspectives on the data. Board members intend to explore whether existing technology policies need updating, how to balance the educational benefits of digital tools with the potential for distraction, and what role parents might play in reinforcing healthy screen habits at home.

Why the issue matters to families

For many families in Wake County, the question of screen‑time is tied to broader concerns about child development, academic achievement and the preservation of family time. Parents who prioritize traditional study habits and face‑to‑face interaction see the board’s review as an opportunity to protect those values while still allowing students to use technology responsibly.

Potential policy options

Possible actions under consideration include setting clear limits on personal device use during instructional periods, requiring teachers to integrate technology in structured ways, and providing professional development to help educators manage digital distractions. The board may also look at best practices from other districts that have successfully reduced non‑instructional screen time without compromising access to essential learning resources.

Next steps

The board will compile feedback from the Tuesday session and report back to the community with any recommended policy changes. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit written comments before the meeting, ensuring that a wide range of voices are heard in the decision‑making process.

Wake County’s proactive approach reflects a growing national conversation about how schools can harness technology’s advantages while safeguarding students’ attention and well‑being. As the district moves forward, the balance between digital learning tools and traditional classroom instruction will remain a central focus for educators, parents and community leaders alike.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.