Madrid's Revolutionary Approach to Limit Screen Time in Schools
The regional government of Madrid has launched an ambitious initiative aiming to reduce the use of computers and tablets among primary school students to a maximum of two hours per week. This move seeks to address the potential risks associated with early and excessive exposure to information technology. Set to take effect in September, the new regulations will apply to approximately 500,000 children across 2,000 state schools in the Madrid area.
Education officials and regional government representatives explain that the intention behind these proposals is to return to the core principles of education while adapting to modern times, ensuring that traditional learning methods such as books, dictations, and handwriting remain relevant alongside the development of digital skills. According to a spokesperson from the conservative regional government, "It's about getting back to the essence of education but adapting it to today’s times."
Under the new guidelines, infant and primary students will be prohibited from using digital devices individually. Teachers will also be restricted from assigning homework that requires screen time, which represents a significant shift in the approach to digital learning.
However, a small amount of supervised screen time will be permitted for some pupils each week. Specifically, babies and toddlers from birth to three years old will be completely banned from using screens. Students in infant school, aged three to six, will be allowed just one hour of supervised screen time weekly. For primary pupils in years three and four, the cap is set at 90 minutes a week, while those in years five and six may use devices for up to two hours per week. It's worth noting that secondary schools will be empowered to establish their own screen time limits, and children with special educational needs will be exempt from these new regulations.
The decision comes amidst growing concerns regarding screen time among children and adolescents not only in Spain but globally. In response to these rising worries, the socialist-led coalition government in Spain is also preparing legislation to increase the age for opening a social media account from 14 to 16, advocating for tech companies to implement age-verification systems. Additionally, the legislation proposes that smartphones come pre-installed with parental controls and hints at a national educational campaign to better equip children and teenagers to navigate social media.
While some Spanish regions have previously enacted policies regulating phone use in schools, the education ministry is now suggesting a total prohibition of phone usage in both infant and primary schools while limiting its use in secondary education to only teacher-led educational activities. This broad initiative highlights a growing recognition of the importance of balanced, thoughtful approaches to technology in the educational landscape.
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