HF3776

Purpose

To limit screen time for children in publicly funded preschool and kindergarten programs by requiring that any use of an individual-use screen occurs with engagement from a teacher or other students, thereby promoting more interactive participation during school hours.

Key Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 124D.166 to establish a limit on screen time in preschool and kindergarten settings.
• A child in a publicly funded preschool or kindergarten may not use an individual-use screen (examples include tablets, smartphones, or other digital media) without engagement from a teacher or other students while at a school site.
• The restriction does not apply to a child for whom the school has an individualized family service plan (IFSP), an individualized education program (IEP), or a 504 plan in effect.

Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a prohibition on standalone or individual-use screen usage in early education settings, tying screen time to active engagement with teachers or peers.
• Specifically updates 124D.166 to formalize the limit on screen time for preschool and kindergarten students in publicly funded programs.
• Includes exemptions for students covered by IFSPs, IEPs, or 504 plans.

Considerations

• The policy targets screen use at school sites during publicly funded early education programs.
• Exemptions indicate continued flexibility for students with certain special education or developmental plans.

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Relevant Terms

publicly funded preschool preschool kindergarten individual-use screen tablet smartphone digital media engagement teacher other students school site IFSP (individualized family service plan) IEP (individualized education program) 504 plan Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 124D.166 screen time prohibition limit on screen time