Actress Sophie Winkleman has raised concerns about the growing prevalence of screens in classrooms, advocating for the removal of iPads and a shift in focus towards investing in teachers. She emphasizes the need for schools to be a “safe haven” from screens for children, citing research on the negative impacts of excessive screen time on young learners. Winkleman highlights the significant amount of money UK schools spend on education technology and questions its effectiveness, pointing to evidence showing declining student outcomes. She suggests returning to traditional methods like books, pen, and paper, echoing Sweden’s decision to scale back digital devices in education. Winkleman’s stance is supported by the parent-led Safe Screens Campaign, which calls for restrictions on smartphone use for under-16s. Despite this, the Department for Education defends the use of technology in classrooms, stating it supports teachers and enhances learning.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/19/endless-tech-at-schools-a-failure-says-sophie-winkleman
