Coming back from summer break, San Diego Unified students will notice some changes in their classrooms: No YouTube on their screens. It’s one of a series of screen-time changes announced Tuesday by the district, which says it wants to prioritize student wellness. The changes will be voted on by the Board of Education Tuesday evening.  Earlier in the year, the district implemented a cell phone ban during school hours. This ban is now expanding to include school Chromebooks, gaming platforms, and streaming services such as YouTube. The first changes are planned for the first day of the 2026-27 academic school year, Aug. 10. However, these changes are only one step in a year-long plan to regulate technology in the classroom.  Research indicates increased screen time hurts student well-being, including academics, social development and emotional development, says school board president Richard Barrera and trustee Shayna Hazen. “How can technology transform student learning — but not be used instead of the really meaningful work that teachers can do?” Hazen asked.  Although streaming platforms are prohibited on student devices, teachers will be able to access these platforms for educational purposes.  The district is still navigating how to balance the appropriate level of technology use across grade levels and how these regulations should be enforced. Over the next year, the district plans to collaborate with educators, families, students, researchers, and advisory groups to gather a range of perspectives and develop age-appropriate technology guidelines.  One of the first changes is removing all computer carts from transitional kindergarten classrooms. The restrictions will be more lenient for students in higher grade levels that have more responsibilities.  Parent and teacher aide Michelle Corona is in favor of this approach, but she acknowledges technology can be helpful. She said it is the teachers’ job to be vigilant and enforce the rules.  “I don’t mind using the computer in the classroom for class work,” Corona said. “I think it’s more engaging for kids, especially the ones that are more visual that might have trouble connecting concepts. But it should always be limited towards the curriculum.” Later in the school year, the district is planning to expand family resources and parental controls and increase screen limits on chromebooks outside established hours, among other changes. “A young person should be able to control technology as it evolves, they should not be controlled by technology,” Barrera said. “Our goal through these set of policies this school year is to put students back into control with their learning and not be at the whim of technology.”  District leaders say if the resolution passes, staff will work with advisory groups such as the Community Advisory Committee, District Advisory Council and District English Learner Advisory Committee to further refinethe policy. ...read more read less