MN Screen Time Law Now In Effect: Here's What To Know

MINNEAPOLIS — A new law that restricts screen time in Minnesota's public prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms went into effect on July 1. The measure was passed during the 2021 legislative session.

The law states that preschool and kindergarten students in public schools cannot use screens by themselves:

Sec. 2. [124D.166] LIMIT ON SCREEN TIME FOR CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN.

A child in a publicly funded preschool or kindergarten program may not use an individual-use screen, such as a tablet, smartphone, or other digital media, without engagement from a teacher or other students. This section does not apply to a child for whom the school has an individualized family service plan, an individualized education program, or a 504 plan in effect.

Ahead of the 2022-23 school year, the Minnesota Department of Education will share resources with schools "to support adherence to this requirement."

According to the American Psychological Association, "excessive" media use in children is associated with reduced sleep, increased obesity, and language and social-emotional delays.

"For young children, the best way to teach higher-order cognitive skills (including attentional and emotional control) is through parent-child interactions, unstructured and social play," the APA found. "Letting toddlers use or view media on their own should be avoided."