Speaker Menin delivers opening statement on screen time in schools

Thanks so much, Chair Dinowitz.

And now I'd like to introduce our speaker of the City Council, who has been a staunch advocate on this issue, both as the Speaker of the City Council and also as a mother herself.

Thank you, Speaker.

And now I'll turn it over to you for your opening statement.

Thank you so much, Chair Krishnan.

And I really want to thank you and Chair Dinowitz for all of your leadership on this issue and for convening this very important hearing today.

And I want to thank DOE and other stakeholders who are here to participate in this important discussion.

As another school year begins, families across New York City are thinking about the quality of the education our children are receiving, as well as the environment in which they are learning.

Increasingly, parents are asking a basic question.

How much of the school day should children be spending in front of a screen?

Technology clearly has an important role in education.

It can support visual learners, provide translation, and give students with disabilities access to essential assistive technology.

But technology should support instruction, not replace it.