6 things parents can do to advocate for less tech in the classroom

SALT LAKE CITY — For years, the screen time battle has mostly played out at home. But lately, more parents are asking questions about what's happening once their kids get to school. From classroom apps to AI tools and tablets, technology is becoming a bigger part of the school day, and not everyone is comfortable with that shift.

Andrea Davis is a technology speaker, author and educator. She's also a mom of five, who experienced this topic in a personal way. She shared what parents can do if they have concerns.

Don't Advocate Alone

You're probably not the only one with concerns. Davis said to find other parents who share those concerns.

"Don't go at it alone," she emphasized. "I tried that strategy. It does not work."

She recommended talking with other families in your child's class and in the school community.

"Talk to other parents who are in your kids' classes," she said. "You will find that you're not the only one that is concerned about this."

Lead With "How Can I Help?"

"That's always the best question to start with," Davis said.

Having worked as a public school teacher herself, she knows the demands educators face.

"I know that administrators and teachers are extremely busy." she emphasized. "If we show up with not just criticism, but just asking, like, 'How can I help with this?' Curiosity is always, in any situation or relationship, curiosity is the best way to open a door."

Ask the Right Questions

Davis said you might just need more information. Asking the right questions helps you get clear about how technology is being used in your child's classroom and what safeguards are protecting them online.

• How often are screens used each day?
• What is the purpose of each app?
• What filters or protections are in place?

"We know that as a parent, you have the right to know," Davis said. "We need more open communication about where our kids are spending their time online."

Do the Heavy Lifting For Them

Davis said the best way to make change in the classroom is to contribute ideas rather than just identifying the problems.

"Do the heavy lifting for them," she said. "I said, 'Hey, here are, like, some simple strategies that we can do.'"

By volunteering her time, Davis said her district stopped allowing middle schoolers to take iPads home after school.

Find Your Allies Inside the School

Parents aren't the only ones advocating for less tech in the classroom.

"Some of the best advocates here in my own community have been other teachers," Davis noted. "They've watched this impact on their high school students."

Many teachers are also parents themselves.

"They're like, 'I don't want that for my kid.'"

Change Takes Longer Than You Think

Davis emphasized that change isn't going to happen immediately.

"Change takes time," she emphasized. "The app, Prodigy, was just removed on our school devices this year in 2026. I initially asked for that in 2021, so that's been five years."

She emphasized that persistence and support from other parents is going to be important.

"This conversation has been elevated internationally, and so I think we're seeing some movement and traction," Davis said.

Find more tech discussions from Andrea Davis on Instagram, @betterscreentime.

This story originally aired on KSL TV and has been reformatted for a digital audience using artificial intelligence.