Screen time: Moving from ‘blanket bans’ to purposeful use

This former superintendent is calling for a shift in how school districts approach technology, arguing that blanket screen bans are an “overly simplistic” response to a complex issue.

In the latest episode of the “DA Changemakers” podcast, Janice Jackson, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, notes that fear often drives restrictive policies. She emphasizes that while concerns over social media and student well-being are valid, educators must distinguish between “useful” and “non-useful” screen time to avoid putting students at a disadvantage in the modern economy.

Jackson, who is now the executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Education and Society Program, highlights a growing equity gap in how technology is regulated. She argues blanket bans are more common in marginalized communities where parents have less agency in decision-making.

“Students are going to work around it,” Jackson said, suggesting that removing technology instead of teaching digital literacy leaves vulnerable students unprepared for future career trajectories.

The former superintendent urged district leaders to let educators, rather than vendors, lead the conversation on classroom tools. She suggested that administrators look closely at “bottom-up” procurement—tools that teachers and principals are already buying and using—as a metric for what actually works in the classroom.

Jackson also noted that technology can expand academic access, citing a virtual algebra program in Chicago that increased middle-school participation from hundreds to thousands of students. Such shifts, she argued, allow for more efficient budgets that can eventually be reinvested into smaller class sizes and additional staffing

Despite her advocacy for tech integration, Jackson warned against losing “what’s human” in education. She specifically called for a renewed focus on authentic student writing and creation as the highest forms of learning. Jackson concluded that while AI can assist with editing and efficiency, it should never replace the fundamental human act of original creation.

Listen to the full episode below: