Should the screentime students receive at school be questioned? According to the New York Times, the average student spends 98 minutes a day on school-issued devices. This time varies, as some students would say. ¨[I would describe the amount of screentime I get at school as] way too much,¨ sophomore Kyler Kovac said.

While connected to technology, students can learn responsible technology use and discover platforms that help them succeed. ¨I learned that it´s important to completely shut down your computer at the end of the day,¨ sophomore Courtney Vela said ¨So I always make sure to do that.¨

Excessive screen time for students has physical and mental side effects. According to the National Institutes of Health, too much screen time is linked to shorter attention spans, impulsive behavior, and higher rates of anxiety and depression. Short-term effects could include eye strain, headaches, and neck or back pain. ¨Sometimes the screen gives me a headache, but nothing major,¨ freshman Daisy Bradshaw said.

There is an ongoing debate about whether paper assignments should be brought back or if technology is essential for students’ advancement. According to an LA school report, 87% of students in grades 7-12, along with 93% of college students, consider paper an essential tool for their education. ¨I think Chromebooks are taking away from other healthy activities,¨ Kovac said.

Due to the numerous resources available to students on a Chromebook, it is challenging to stay completely away from using them. While many tests and assignments have been moved online, there is research that doesn´t support this. Like always, different opinions on technology and screen time vary.¨My classes that I don’t use a Chromebook seem to go a lot quicker,¨ Vela said.