As students across San Luis Obispo County head back to school, some San Luis Coastal Unified School District parents are raising concerns about how much time students spend using electronic devices in the classroom.
For San Luis Obispo father of three, Chad Worth, the questions began when his first-grade daughter mentioned using a Chromebook.
“One day my daughter... made some comment about her Chromebook, and I said, ‘What do you mean, your Chromebook?’” Worth said.
Worth said he later learned his daughter was spending up to four hours each week using devices during the school day.
“Is this the best use of classroom time? Playing math and reading games versus using traditional pen and paper to learn things?” Worth said.
Worth’s concerns led him to start a local chapter of Schools Beyond Screens, a nationwide coalition advocating for limits on digital screen time in K-12 classrooms.
He launched the chapter in the spring. That same week, another local parent started a petition with similar goals.
“We’re concerned about the amount of time that the kids are getting on school-issued devices,” said San Luis Obispo parent Vanessa Salas.
Worth and Salas were among several parents who spoke during public comment at Tuesday night’s San Luis Coastal Unified School District board meeting.
While both parents said they support steps the district has previously taken to promote digital safety, they believe additional changes are needed.
Their requests include removing Chromebooks from kindergarten through second-grade classrooms, implementing an “away for the day” cellphone policy through high school, and placing stricter limits on the use of artificial intelligence.
“Our philosophy is humans first and technology with intention,” said Lisa Yamashita, the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.
Yamashita said the district appreciates community input and works to ensure technology is only used when it strengthens learning opportunities.
“We have a team that meets monthly to implement the action steps that the technology task forces have previously recommended,” Yamashita said.
She said the district keeps students at the center of its policies and continues to adjust its approach as technology evolves and new challenges emerge.
No decisions were made during Tuesday night’s meeting because there was no agenda item for the board to discuss the parents’ proposals.
