Henrico parents make urgent plea to school board: limit technology use in schools

June 13, 2026 - 07:49

More than a dozen parents and community members addressed the Henrico School Board on June 11, pleading with officials to rethink the district's one-to-one device policy and impose stricter limits on screen time during the school day.

Currently, Henrico Schools provides iPads to students starting in elementary grades, a practice that has drawn growing concern from families who say the devices are harming their children's focus, mental health, and social development. Speakers at the meeting described students spending excessive hours staring at screens, even during lunch and recess, and argued that the constant access to technology is undermining learning.

Parents urged the board to consider age-appropriate restrictions, such as limiting device use to specific instructional periods and reducing reliance on digital tools for non-academic activities. Some suggested that the district adopt a more balanced approach, reserving screen-based learning for subjects where it adds clear value while encouraging more hands-on, interpersonal, and outdoor experiences.

The pleas reflect a broader national debate over the role of technology in classrooms. While Henrico officials have defended the program as a way to ensure equitable access to digital resources, critics argue that the potential downsides, including increased distraction and reduced physical activity, need to be addressed. The board has not announced any immediate policy changes but acknowledged the concerns and said they would be taken under review.