Require policy revision for screen-free lunch and snack times in schools
The Issue
As a parent, I have become deeply concerned after recently learning that students in the Durham District School Board from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3 are being exposed to significant non-curriculum-related screen time EVERY DAY during snack and/or lunch times. This screen exposure diverts their attention away from opportunities for natural socialization and consumption of their lunch and/or snacks and instead toward what is often very high-stimulation digital content. This is an issue that demands urgent attention and rectification.
What is particularly alarming is the fact that many parents, myself included, were not informed, nor did we consent to such practices being part of the daily routines of our children. Parents seeking to implement best practices for screen time allowances in their homes ought to be made aware of how much screen time their children receive in school and what types of content they are shown.
Research has consistently shown that excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on young children's development, impacting their cognitive development, social skills, and even physical health. According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 2 to 5 years should have no more than one hour of screen time per day of high-quality programming, co-viewed with a parent. Yet, by allowing unregulated screen time during snacks and lunch at school, following these guidelines is made dramatically more difficult.
Therefore, I call on the Durham District School Board to immediately revise their policies regarding non-curriculum-based screen time. More specifically, I urge them to implement an evidence-based board-wide Screen Time Policy for Grades K-3 in all DDSB schools that includes:
- Screen-free snack and lunch times
- Transparent communication with parents/guardians regarding the amount of screen time students are shown
- Promote non-digital alternative snack and lunch time practices that contribute to the positive development of healthy eating habits, attention spans, and social skills in students.
Such a policy would require zero financial investment on the part of the board. The wellbeing and developmental needs of our children must take precedence over what is convenient. Let us advocate for an educational environment that nurtures their growth holistically.
Please sign this petition to demand a policy revision for the sake of our children's health and future.
360
The Issue
As a parent, I have become deeply concerned after recently learning that students in the Durham District School Board from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3 are being exposed to significant non-curriculum-related screen time EVERY DAY during snack and/or lunch times. This screen exposure diverts their attention away from opportunities for natural socialization and consumption of their lunch and/or snacks and instead toward what is often very high-stimulation digital content. This is an issue that demands urgent attention and rectification.
What is particularly alarming is the fact that many parents, myself included, were not informed, nor did we consent to such practices being part of the daily routines of our children. Parents seeking to implement best practices for screen time allowances in their homes ought to be made aware of how much screen time their children receive in school and what types of content they are shown.
Research has consistently shown that excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on young children's development, impacting their cognitive development, social skills, and even physical health. According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 2 to 5 years should have no more than one hour of screen time per day of high-quality programming, co-viewed with a parent. Yet, by allowing unregulated screen time during snacks and lunch at school, following these guidelines is made dramatically more difficult.
Therefore, I call on the Durham District School Board to immediately revise their policies regarding non-curriculum-based screen time. More specifically, I urge them to implement an evidence-based board-wide Screen Time Policy for Grades K-3 in all DDSB schools that includes:
- Screen-free snack and lunch times
- Transparent communication with parents/guardians regarding the amount of screen time students are shown
- Promote non-digital alternative snack and lunch time practices that contribute to the positive development of healthy eating habits, attention spans, and social skills in students.
Such a policy would require zero financial investment on the part of the board. The wellbeing and developmental needs of our children must take precedence over what is convenient. Let us advocate for an educational environment that nurtures their growth holistically.
Please sign this petition to demand a policy revision for the sake of our children's health and future.
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Petition created on October 9, 2026