Parents · Teachers · Community
Our mission
We are Minneapolis parents, educators and neighbors asking for a more intentional approach to technology use in grades K-12. We’d like Minneapolis Public Schools to reevaluate the effectiveness and potential harm of current EdTech tools and create clear policies based on their findings.
Technology in schools should be educationally necessary, research-based, and developmentally appropriate — not the default for every lesson, every grade, every day.
Why this matters
As EdTech devices have become standard in classrooms, student attention and achievement have declined. This is a trend being noticed around the world. The Karolinska Institute in Sweden recently published research concluding that, “there is clear scientific support that digital tools risk impairing, rather than improving, student learning.” (full report). Based on these findings, Sweden’s Ministry of Education is changing course and going back to paper-based learning.
The costs aren’t only academic. Heavy daily screen use is increasingly tied to anxiety, depression and disrupted sleep. Screens in schools also increase opportunities for cyberbullying.
School is one of the biggest sources of children’s daily screen time — district policies should reflect a real commitment to students’ social and emotional health alongside their academic success. We are asking schools to lead the way and collaborate with parents for an intentional, evidence-based approach to technology in schools.
“Sweden had positioned itself as a frontrunner in digital education, but over time concerns emerged about screen time, distraction, reduced deep reading, and the erosion of foundational skills such as sustained attention and handwriting.”
Linda Fälth, researcher in teacher education, Linnaeus UniversityWhat we’re working toward
Recognizing that some of the most dynamic and impactful teaching happens off-screen.
Digital tools should be chosen because they're the best way to teach a concept, not simply because they're available.
Sensible caps on daily screen time at every grade level.
Protect student safety and keep students focused on learning.
Real analog alternatives for families who want them, with genuine curricular support for the educators who provide them.
Removing the distraction of personal devices from the classrooms.
Openness about EdTech contracts, AI use, costs, and student privacy agreements.
Get involved
Join our email list, share your story, or learn other ways to support this work.