At school and at home, screens are part of students’ daily lives. Community concerns continue to grow around student screentime, 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.

 

Chris Dunn 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.