In a landmark 6-0 vote, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education has approved a resolution directing the nation’s second-largest school system to impose comprehensive, grade-specific limits on classroom screen time.

The measure requires district staff to develop a detailed policy by June, with the new rules scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Under the resolution, students in kindergarten and first grade will face a full ban on the use of district-issued devices for classroom work, with limited exceptions for virtual learning and mandated assessments.

For older students, the policy will set daily and weekly screen-time caps tailored by grade level and subject, while strongly encouraging pen-and-paper assignments.

Elementary and middle school students will also be prohibited from using devices during lunch, recess, and passing periods.

Student-led access to YouTube or other video streaming platforms on school devices will be banned.

The board further directed LAUSD to audit all existing education-technology contracts and create a public report on the findings, while clarifying the process for parents to opt their children out of technology use.

Board President Scott Schmerelson recused himself from the vote due to ownership of technology stocks.

The decision makes LAUSD the first major American school district to enact system-wide, developmentally appropriate guardrails on classroom technology.

It builds on the district’s 2025 ban on personal cellphones and smartwatches.

It responds to growing concerns from parents, educators, and researchers about the effects of excessive screen time on children’s attention, social development, physical health, and academic outcomes.

“This is a big win for kids,” said a spokesperson for parent advocacy group Schools Beyond Screens, which led the year-long campaign.

“It marks a shift toward science-backed classroom practices over Big Tech influence.”

Full details of the grade-by-grade limits will be presented to the board next month.