Haddonfield School District Implements New K-5 Screen Time Guidance Prioritizing Handwriting and Physical Texts
The Haddonfield School District in New Jersey has introduced new K-5 educator guidance aimed at limiting screen time and re-emphasizing traditional learning methods. This guidance prioritizes handwriting and reading physical texts, with specific rules for different grade levels. For instance, kindergarten and first-grade students are not permitted to publish writing on devices, and while fourth and fifth graders can use digital tools for drafting, handwriting remains the expected mode for note-taking. Chromebooks are now kept in classrooms by default, rather than being sent home daily, and recess is designated as screen-free. The district spent nearly a year developing this guidance, incorporating research, staff experience, and parent feedback. This move aligns with a national trend among school districts to reduce screen time, a concern also highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General's warning on the harms of screen use earlier this year.
