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Parents and students press Jersey City schools for a districtwide screen‑time and EdTech policy
Summary
At the May 21 board meeting parents, students and board members pressed Jersey City Public Schools to adopt a districtwide ed‑tech policy with grade‑level screen‑time limits, blocking non‑educational platforms and auditing vendor contracts. The superintendent said a policy draft and follow‑up work are on the district’s list.
Parents, students and community advocates told the Jersey City Board of Education on May 21 that they want clearer limits, transparency and oversight of classroom technology.
A line of public‑comment speakers said that excessive school screen time — including use of school‑issued Chromebooks for homework and classroom activities — is harming attention and academic outcomes. “We are asking JCPS to do the same” as other large districts, said a parent who identified research and called for a ban on non‑educational platforms. Eleven‑year‑old Isla, a fifth grader at PS 16, told the board she has seen younger children bring home phrases from videos and said, “Why are we spending so much money on technology that is hurting kids?”
Why it matters: Parents asked for uniform rules across the district rather than a patchwork of school practices. They proposed concrete steps: grade‑level screen‑time limits, blocking non‑educational platforms such as YouTube on school devices, auditing EdTech contracts and publishing a matrix that lists which applications are used, why and when.
District response and next steps: Superintendent Dr. Fernandez said math curricula include hardcover textbooks and workbooks and that schools have district‑approved “adoptions,” but acknowledged a disconnect between central guidance and classroom practice. “We are going to be working on a districtwide policy [on] the use of technology, AI,” Fernandez said on the record. He also said the district will automate some systems to improve efficiency and will continue curriculum‑committee work to align practice.
Board reaction: Several trustees expressed sympathy with parents’ concerns and described the problem as twofold: central guidance on adoptions and classroom‑level choices by teachers or schools. One trustee urged parents to join committee work and suggested the board can use caucus time and committee meetings to explore policy options in more detail.
What was asked for: Speakers urged the board to publish the district’s digital‑resources guide and the results of any usage surveys; to require transparent reporting of which apps are used at each grade; and to audit EdTech contracts for value and privacy risks.
What’s next: The superintendent said the digital resources guide and corrective‑action plans are available online; trustees agreed to follow up in committee and to invite parents to participate in working groups. The board scheduled follow‑up committee work and encouraged parents to engage with curriculum and education committees to help shape any policy.
Attribution: Quotes and attributions in this article come from public comments and trustee statements in the May 21, 2026 meeting transcript; specific quoted speakers include Santoshi Barrick (PS 16 parent), Island (PS 16 student) and Superintendent Dr. Fernandez.
