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Madrid Government Introduces Screen Time Limits for Young Students
The regional government of Madrid has announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing the reliance on digital devices in primary education. Starting in September, the new regulations will restrict the use of computers and tablets to a maximum of two hours per week for young students, as part of a broader strategy to mitigate risks linked to early and excessive screen exposure.
Under the proposed guidelines, which will impact approximately 500,000 children across 2,000 state schools in the Madrid area, teachers will also be prohibited from assigning any homework that entails screen use. This initiative is being recognized as a pioneering step in Spain’s approach to education technology.
A spokesperson for the conservative regional administration emphasized the importance of returning to fundamental educational practices while integrating modern technological skills. “It’s about getting back to the essence of education but adapting it to today’s times and making books, dictations and handwriting compatible with the development of digital skills,” the spokesperson articulated.
The new rules specifically state that students in both infant and primary education will not be permitted to work individually with digital devices. Additionally, educators will not be allowed to assign homework that requires the use of tablets, computers, or similar devices outside school hours.
Nevertheless, certain allowances for supervised screen time will be made. Children aged from birth to three years will be completely prohibited from screen engagement, while those aged three to six will be granted one hour of supervised computer time weekly. Students in the third and fourth years of primary school can have up to 90 minutes of screen time, increasing to two hours for those in the fifth and sixth years. Secondary schools, on the other hand, will be given the autonomy to establish their own limits, and children with special educational needs will be exempt from these restrictions.
In Spain, concerns surrounding children’s screen time are on the rise, reflecting a global trend. In response, the socialist-led coalition government is preparing new legislation aimed at enhancing online safety for minors. This includes elevating the minimum age for creating social media accounts from 14 to 16 years, as well as urging technology companies to implement age-verification systems.
The government is also advocating for the default installation of parental control features on smartphones, alongside a national educational campaign designed to assist young individuals in navigating the complexities of social media.
While some regions in Spain have already enacted regulations concerning mobile phone use in educational settings, the national education ministry is now proposing a total ban on phone usage in infant and primary schools, and restricting phone use in secondary schools to activities that are teacher-led and educational in nature.
Source
www.theguardian.com