Oversight Hearing on Screen Time in New York City Public Schools (9/15/26)

The New York City Council held an oversight hearing on September 15, 2026, to examine screen time and the use of digital devices in New York City public schools. The hearing focused extensively on the Department of Education's (DOE) recent policies limiting screen time and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms, including a moratorium on student-facing generative AI for grades 2K through 8 and recommended daily screen time limits of 30 minutes for grades 3-5 and 45 minutes for grades 6-8. DOE officials testified about the rationale behind these policies, the challenges of implementation, and plans for pilot programs involving AI tools in high schools. Concerns were raised by council members, parents, educators, and advocates regarding the adequacy of research supporting edtech tools, data privacy and security audits, vendor accountability, and the impact of screen time on student health and learning outcomes. Several speakers called for stronger mandates rather than recommendations, greater transparency about contracts and expenditures on educational technology, and more robust parental involvement and consent, especially concerning AI pilot programs. The hearing also highlighted the need for digital literacy education, equitable access for students with disabilities and English language learners, and the importance of balancing technology use with traditional, hands-on learning methods. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were announced, but the discussion underscored the need for improved oversight of edtech vendor contracts and the development of evidence-based policies to guide future technology procurement and use in schools.