10 Reasons to Get Screens Out of Classrooms

Not Safe
The internet is rife with harmful content including violence, sex, self harm, racism, hate/rage bait; internet exposure puts children at risk of pedophiles, trafficking, cyberbullying, and drugs.
Addictive
1 in 11 children meet criteria for internet addiction; addictive devices should be banned. Schools don’t give children “just a little” cocaine.
Don’t Need It
What children learn today through screens will be antiquated by the time they graduate. Universities report students are illiterate; employers won’t hire new grads due to low social skills and literacy.
Academic Decline
Academic performance and literacy have declined since screens were introduced. The brain is like a muscle—use it or lose it. Studies show loss of frontal lobe function with AI. Humans have not evolved to learn from screens.
Reduced Teacher Time
Computers are not a learning tool. Teachers teach; screens entertain. Paper, pencil, and books are research-proven tools for learning and literacy.
Uncredentialed EdTech Designers
No research evidence, unprofessional, not accredited, inexperienced, and profit-motivated.
Not Legal
Targeted ads, data harvesting, and privacy infringement.
Isolating
1 in 5 children aged 8–18 have a diagnosed mental illness. Excessive internet use constitutes neglect; humans are pack animals and thrive on real human connection.
Sedentary
1 in 3 children enter school developmentally delayed. Movement enhances learning, behavior, and literacy achievement.
Overstimulating
Heart attacks and strokes are on the rise, especially in younger generations.

Over 600 supporting research references can be sourced on Reconnect Webinars website, Resource section, Fact Sheet at reconnectwebinars.com. Please share widely. Published Jan. 16, ’26.

This list was compiled at the requests of numerous teachers by Cris Rowan, a pediatric occupational therapist, biologist, author of “Virtual Child” and international speaker passionate about changing the ways in which children use screen technologies. Over 600 supporting research references can be sourced on Reconnect Webinars website, Resource section, Fact Sheet at reconnectwebinars.com.
Please share widely.
Published Jan. 16, ’26.

Cris Rowan, BScOT, BScBi, SIPT

Cris Rowan has spent the last 35 years working as a pediatric occupational therapist in homes, schools and clinic settings. In 2004 Cris began collating screen impact research into a topically organized Fact Sheet with now over 600 research referenced articles. Cris started her research-referenced blog Moving to Learn for parents, teachers and clinicians in 2005 writing about timely, provocative and controversial topics related to screen overuse/addiction. Cris’s Fact Sheet research was foundational for her Foundation Series Workshops as well as for publishing her book in 2010 “Virtual Child – The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children”. To date Cris has provided over 450 workshops for students, parents, teachers and clinicians under Zone’in Programs. During Covid in 2019/20 she converted these workshops into 75 hours of instructional webinars now available on Reconnect Webinars. All webinars have AOTA Approved Provider Status for CEU provision. Since 2018 Cris has been an integral member of Fair Play – Screens in Schools committee launching the comprehensive Action Kit for teachers in 2024. Cris’s OT services in BC First Nations schools was integral for developing her revolutionary Screenbusters Program where she trained students to provide ”Tech Talks” for their peers in classrooms. Screenbusters is a free, online, 5-hour certification for teens who are supervised by certified Balanced Technology Management staff. All of Cris’s above achievements are research-referenced, strategy focused and evidence-based. You can reach Cris at crowan@reconnectwebinars.com or book a consultation at CrisRowan.com.

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