House panel lays over pre-K, kindergarten screen time prohibition

How young is too young for screen time?

Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Mpls) argued that preschool and kindergarten is too young — at least during school hours — before the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday.

“There’s a lot of research that shows us that the benefits to our youngest learners of screen time do not outweigh some of the negative consequences,” Sencer-Mura said.

She sponsors HF3776, which, as amended, would prohibit tablet, smartphone and other digital media screen time at preschools and kindergartens. The only exception would be for students with an individualized family service plan, an individualized education program or a 504 plan in effect.

It was held over by the committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

“Too much screen time can slow a child’s speech and language development and impact learning for the rest of their life,” said Katherine Myers, co-founder and executive director of LiveMore ScreenLess.

[MORE: Read written testimony]

Others worried about the effects of a broad screen time prohibition.

“A blanket prohibition on digital media technology in pre-K and kindergarten would create a direct conflict with existing state mandates and would take away the professional judgment of experienced and knowledgeable teachers across the state,” said Amanda Fay, executive director of technology at the Minnetonka school district.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for another mandate on schools,” Rep. Bryan Lawrence (R-Princeton) said.

Referencing the 2025 cell phone policy mandate, Rep. Patricia Mueller (R-Austin) said, “I still think schools can do this already, and so it’s unnecessary.”

Dr. Katie Smentek, president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, supports the bill, writing it “aligns with established pediatric guidance and reflects our shared responsibility to create learning environments that promote healthy brain development and lifelong well-being.”

Eric Simmons, executive director of technology at the Stillwater school district, opposed the bill in a letter, writing that it would “move Minnesota from a commonsense limit on screen use to a blanket prohibition. Preschool and kindergarten students across Minnesota do not deserve a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach as a classroom policy.”