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Q&A

Dinowitz questions DOE on age restrictions for student-facing AI

New York City Council · Jun 24, 2026 · starts 0:29:38 · 2 min 13 sec

Dinowitz asks if DOE has determined a specific age when students should not use large language models. Dr. Pate and Dr. Holla confirm there is no developmental framework for AI age bands, though early childhood has screen time policies of 30 minutes per week for 2K through pre-K.

Eric Dinowitz

Thank you.

Eric Dinowitz

I want to start with the student-facing AI.

Eric Dinowitz

I think it's one of the things that troubles me as a parent and a teacher the most.

Eric Dinowitz

Is there a specific age that the DOE has determined students should not be using things like large language models and an age where it's a

Eric Dinowitz

appropriate to begin such use in the classroom or outside the classroom?

Danielle Junta

Thank you.

Danielle Junta

Right now, we do not have a developmental framework for that, for age bands.

Danielle Junta

We have some clearer screen time policies in place in our early childhood.

Danielle Junta

grade, you know, 2K through pre-K now, but I'm going to invite Dr.

Danielle Junta

Pate up to speak a little bit more to the specific AI.

Eric Dinowitz

And while she's coming up, I'd like to acknowledge that we've been joined by Council Members Maloney and Joseph.

Dr. Pate

As our first deputy chancellor said, we don't currently have a policy, but we are learning from insight across the nation.

Dr. Pate

We do know that we are paying very close attention to what it means to engage in developmentally appropriate use of AI technology, inclusive of screen time.

Eric Dinowitz

Thank you, Dr.

Eric Dinowitz

Pate.

Eric Dinowitz

You have approved, oh, Dr.

Eric Dinowitz

Holla?

Dr. Holla

Sorry.

Dr. Holla

Just to add, specifically in the early childhoods, we just want to include that we have, it's 30 minutes per week and 15 minutes per day.

Dr. Holla

However, it's not used for students to be on it alone.

Dr. Holla

That's not the intent.

Dr. Holla

The intent of it is more for a policy, with the exceptions of like assistive technology for our students with IEPs.

Eric Dinowitz

And what age is that for?

Dr. Holla

And that would be for any early childhood.

Dr. Holla

So 2K, 3K, 4K.

Eric Dinowitz

So there's no policy for kindergarten through fifth grade?

Dr. Holla

No, that's the consistent policy.

Dr. Holla

Okay, there's no policy.

Eric Dinowitz

Okay.