In 2002, Maine became the first state to implement a statewide laptop program to some grade levels. Then-governor Angus King saw the program as a way to put the internet at the fingertips of more children, who would be able to immerse themselves in information.
By that fall, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative had distributed 17,000 Apple laptops to seventh graders across 243 middle schools. By 2016, those numbers had multiplied to 66,000 laptops and tablets distributed to Maine students.
King’s initial efforts have been mirrored across the country. In 2024, the U.S. spent more than $30 billion putting laptops and tablets in schools. But more than a quarter-century and numerous evolving models of technology later, psychologists and learning experts see a different outcome than the one King intended. Rather than empowering the generation with access to more knowledge, the technology had the opposite effect.
Yeah… But there’s actually quite a bit of research to back it in this case. Standardized testing and literacy rates have been falling sharply since 2017, but accelerated even faster after COVID.
I don’t think laptops in schools really have anything to do with it, it’s likely a reflection of systemic failures in education and the economy. However, we do know that too much screen time for children is harmful for their cognitive development, and there are more and more kids being raised by tablets every day.
I work in healthcare in a pediatric hospital, in the last couple years we’ve had to put in strict rules for our clinic about the use of phones and tablets during the appointments. We often have to tell both the patient and their parents to put their phones away, just so they will somewhat pay attention during the appointment. Often both the parents and their children will throw tantrums when we do this.
Technology isn’t inherently dangerous, but the social media we collectively engage with is designed to keep people engaged with it. It’s almost like we all have little casino slots machines in our pockets, and there’s plenty of research about the harm it’s doing.
Are you saying that letting an anti public education grifter take over the Dept of Education was a mistake?!?
I mean that definitely doesn’t help, but COVID in general was just a large disruption for most family’s routines and children thrive with stability in their lives.
I agree, but the sharp decline started 3 years before the shutdown.