What Screen Time Is Really Doing to Kids (From a Superintendent)

We got this wrong. As a school superintendent, I was all in on technology. I believed more devices and more screen time would help students learn. But what I’m seeing now—in classrooms and in the real world—has made me rethink that. This video isn’t about blaming technology or parents. It’s about having an honest conversation about what too much screen time might be doing to kids—especially in areas like attention, language development, and behavior. I’m not here to speak in academic jargon. If you want to explore the research, I’ve included links below. This is just real talk about what we’re seeing every day in schools. As I move forward in my role, I’m committed to being more intentional about how technology is used—especially with younger students. I’d really like to hear from you: What are you seeing with screen time and kids right now? Let’s have the conversation. — Craig Stage Superintendent, Athens Area School District Here are some links: 🔗 The Impact of Screen Time on Attention and Focus A 2025 review exploring how high-stimulation digital content is linked to symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity in students. Read more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41237... 🔗 Why Conversation Matters: Language Development in Early Learners Research highlighting why screens cannot replicate the "back-and-forth" interaction required for healthy speech and vocabulary growth in young children. Read more: https://ijmpr.in/article/the-impact-o... 🔗 The "Instant" Culture: Resilience and Frustration An analysis of how "instant feedback" on devices can lower a child's frustration tolerance and their ability to push through difficult learning tasks. Read more: https://attftl.com/excessive-screen-t... 🔗 New Guidelines for Intentional Tech Use The latest 2026 recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on finding a balance between digital tools and hands-on, face-to-face learning. Read more: https://health.choc.org/updated-aap-r... 👍 If this was helpful, consider subscribing for more real conversations about public education. #PublicEducation #ScreenTime #Parenting #EducationMatters #StudentSuccess