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.