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Batavia Public School District 101 announced in a Tuesday email that it is increasing restrictions on technology use by elementary school students, including disabling AI tools and cutting off individual YouTube access.
The district says these changes stem from months of feedback from families, teachers, and staff. The announcement also comes after several public commenters at recent City Council and school board meetings focused specifically on screen time and technology use.
Here's what to know:
No more AI for K-5: Elementary students will no longer be able to access AI tools on the Chromebooks issued by their school. The district email said these young students “need developmentally appropriate instruction and guidance” before gaining independent access to these tools.
YouTube going away, too: Beginning on October 1, K-5 students will no longer have personal access to YouTube on devices provided by the school. Teachers will still be able to show and share YouTube videos for classroom lessons.
Changes to Chromebook rules: While kindergartners will keep leaving their Chromebooks at school, the individual school will decide whether first graders can bring the devices home. Students in grades 2-5 will continue to bring Chromebooks home to ensure they’re prepared for emergency remote learning days.
Monitoring tool for educators: Teachers will have access to Lightspeed Classroom, which is software for keeping tabs on students’ Chromebook use during class time.
What’s next for older students: The email did not specify new rules for grades 6-12, but it indicated that officials are reviewing AI, YouTube, Chromebook, social media policies, and general web use for middle and high school students. The district said it would like to better understand impacts on teachers, students, and families before making those decisions.
Parents and advocates had been outspoken in the days leading up to the announcement.
At the Aug. 17 City Council meeting, Meg McDermott, co-founder of the parent advocacy group Distraction Free Batavia, told officials that the group's Change.org petition calling for decreased screen time in Batavia schools had secured nearly 700 signatures (it has now surpassed that number).
The next night, at the school board meeting, parents used the public comment period to express support for family access to the Lightspeed parent portal for monitoring their children’s screen time. They also asked officials to create a temporary technology advisory committee as an ongoing way to collaborate on a solution.
The district email said its goal is “purposeful technology” and that educators will continue examining technology’s role in school.
From the district announcement:
When a digital tool strengthens instruction, provides access to important resources, supports creativity, or helps students learn in ways that would otherwise be difficult, it can be incredibly valuable. At the same time, we want to be intentional about limiting technology use that does not meaningfully contribute to learning.
This work will continue, and we will keep our families, staff, and community informed as conversations and decisions move forward.
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