New Mexico Task Force Recommends Eliminating K-2 Screen Time in Schools
A legislative task force in New Mexico has recommended that the state's education department consider issuing guidelines to eliminate screen time for students in kindergarten through second grade. The Screen Use Legislative Task Force, formed after House Memorial 2, conducted a study on screen time use in elementary classrooms. The task force, comprising Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) analysts, New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) officials, district administrators, teachers, and students, cited research from the University of Michigan indicating that the average age children regularly engage with screen media is four months old. The recommendations also suggest minimizing nonessential screen time for K-12 students and limiting access to entertainment and social media applications. However, LESC Chair Sen. William Soules (D-Las Cruces) expressed concern that the legislative committee cannot compel the NMPED to act without direct statutory language. The task force advised placing gui...
