NOTE: This petition is directed toward the Evanston/Skokie District 65 School Board to make systemic reform.  Thank you to all the principals and teachers already making changes!

Please sign if you agree AND are a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a D65 student. 

THE ISSUE:

District 65’s growing reliance on iPads and screen-based applications has negative consequences on educational excellence, online student safety, and student development and behavior.  

We, Screen Sense Evanston, are advocating to improve the way technology and screens are used in our schools.  

OUR ASKS*:

1. Screen-Free Free Time: No iPad use during free time, brain breaks, or indoor recess.  
2. Establish (and monitor) daily maximum classroom screen time recommendations by grade level.**
3. Prioritize non-screen-based versions of curricular, supplemental, and differentiated education.
4. Remove all non-educational applications on school issued iPads.
5. Require parent opt-in for daily iPad take-home

*These requests do not apply to students with IEP or 504 plans requiring the use of an iPad or phone as an assistive device.  

**Screen time limits starting with less than 15 minutes daily for K-2

REASONING:

• The explosion of screen use during the COVID19 pandemic overlooked research into which aspects are harmful or helpful.  Now, we can make every step a deliberate, evidence-based decision.
• Currently, EVERYONE is set up to FAIL.  These devices are designed to be addictive.  They are digital playgrounds intentionally made irresistible by thousands of engineers and marketing experts.  It is unreasonable for students to have self-control to resist non educational uses, for educators to monitor every piece of content, and for caregivers to regularly review their children’s iPad usage.  
• While technological literacy is vital, the current system fails to teach this.  This literacy is best acquired through direct systematic instruction rather than student-directed and gamified screen experiences.
• Growing evidence shows most students benefit from greater emphasis on direct, hands-on learning.  In addition, there is increasing understanding of the harm to kids when screen-based activities are emphasized.  
• Studies show prolonged access to screens is linked to:
  • Changes in children’s brain development and eyesight
  • Reduced ability to concentrate and retain information
  • Reduced critical thinking and emotional intelligence
  • Increased anxiety

We hope these changes will lead to more responsible integration of technology in our schools.  Please join us in advocating for these changes by signing this petition and speaking with friends, family and neighbors regarding your ideas about technology use in schools.

If you would like to help with this or future initiatives, please fill out this form:

Sign Up with Screen Sense Evanston  

Thank you for reading and engaging on this important topic,

Screen Sense Evanston 

Don’t think too much tech is an issue? Check out the sources below. 

Thank you to Learning Unplugged in Wilmette, IL for compiling some of these resources

• Recent NYT article detailing harms of screens in schools and disparities in screen use by income level:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/opinion/smartphones-literacy-inequality-democracy.html

• Articles detailing some harms of screens in children:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9933860/

https://www.oxjournal.org/how-does-technology-affect-the-attention-spans-of-different-age-groups/

https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-screen-time-affects-childrens-brains-nih-study-2018-12

Screens, especially computer screens, also may increase the risk of myopia (nearsightedness) in children by about 20%

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2830598

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39982728/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11186094/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33639912/

• Jonathon Haidt, a psychologist, professor at NYU Business school, and author of The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness talks "Screens, Stress, and Struggling Kids" on TED Talks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W648j-oG-8Y

• Screen time exposure and academic performance, anxiety, and behavioral problems among school children:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40352281/

• School and non-school day screen time profiles and their differences in health and educational indicators in adolescents:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35856173/

• Effects of screen time on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: a systematic review of reviews:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30606703/

• Screen use, sleep duration, daytime somnolence, and academic failure in school-aged adolescents:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36787301/

• The EdTech Industry is working in their own best interests, not in the students’.  

https://edtech.law/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKmoihleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4WGpUYVJ0OHN1WkM4ZW11AR5BoygOaSRspN4mfScP-SujE6vm9TU89lwidfE22_6gI4Z9cL-Hr3gOt4wO2Q_aem_ehvUzSWbMOlNn66mFo4bhw

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/06/technology/tech-billionaires-education-zuckerberg-facebook-hastings.html?action=click&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=Article&region=Footer

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/technology/google-education-chromebooks-schools.html?action=click&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=Article&region=Footer

• UK Report on Screen Use in Kids

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmeduc/118/summary.html

• Report showing disparities in screen use with lower income kids having more screen time:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2019-census-8-to-18-full-report-updated.pdf
• Vox article about the above report:   https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/10/29/20937870/kids-screentime-rich-poor-common-sense-media