Kentucky proposes classroom screen time limits with potential monitoring through classroom cameras

In Kentucky, a bill aimed at regulating the use of ed-tech tools in public schools and setting limits on students' screen time is under legislative consideration. Introduced by State Senator Adrienne Southworth of Lawrenceburg, SB212 seeks to address privacy concerns related to third-party digital instruction materials and establish screen time restrictions for K-12 students.

As of late February, the bill, lacking an Assembly co-sponsor, was directed to the legislative education committee. Southworth expressed optimism about the possibility of a public hearing and subsequent voting in the months ahead. "There's been a decent amount of informal discussion about it," Southworth said.

A key component of SB212 is its strict stance on student privacy, specifically barring schools from agreements with third-party digital providers that could lead to non-educational use of student data. 

According to Southworth, the proposed screen time limitations are grounded in child development principles. The proposed screen time limits vary by educational level: 30 minutes for kindergarten and first grade, one hour for grades two through four, 90 minutes for grades five through eight, and two hours for high school students.

Senator Southworth initiated the bill's drafting after school visits. She expressed concerns over the extensive use of laptops and digital content in classrooms, which she believes diminishes the quality of teacher-student engagement. 

The bill's restrictions focus on student screen time, leaving teacher use of digital tools for administrative and instructional purposes unaffected. Enforcement of these limits might involve administrative monitoring or classroom cameras, though specific methods remain under discussion.

Southworth plans to address the implications of artificial intelligence in education, focusing on student privacy and the collection of personal information by AI systems.

In an email responding to the bill, Kentucky Department of Education Interim Commissioner Robin Fields Kinney acknowledged its objectives to safeguard student welfare and enhance educational outcomes. However, she advised for amendments that would better reflect the varied requirements of students and the instructional advantages of new digital tools.

 Fields Kinney wrote, "Enacting uniform screen-time limits may inadvertently disadvantage students who rely on digital platforms for learning enhancements, especially in underserved communities." 

"While KDE is always interested in legislation that enhances the student experience, there are many questions as to how this bill would be implemented and its impact on our diverse learners."