Bogotá’s education authorities have drafted new guidelines that aim to strike a balance between leveraging technology for learning and protecting students from excessive screen time and cell phone use during the school day. These guidelines, outlined by Bogotá’s Secretary of Education, vary significantly depending on the grade level of the students, ensuring that the restrictions are age-appropriate and cater to the unique needs of each stage of a child’s schooling.
Screen Time Limits by Age Group
For the youngest students, the proposed rules are stringent. Children in pre-kindergarten programs would face zero minutes of screen exposure. This zero-tolerance approach is in line with international research that suggests young children should have minimal screen time to encourage social interaction, emotional development, and physical activity.
For kindergarten and transition students, the draft sets a daily maximum of 30 minutes of screen exposure, but continuous usage would be capped at 10 minutes for kindergarten and 15 minutes for transition students. This is to prevent young children from sitting in front of a screen for prolonged periods, which can lead to developmental issues and attention problems.
Students in grades one through five could use screen devices for up to one hour each day. This increase in time limit is a recognition that as students get older, they can better handle screen time and can use digital tools for educational purposes. However, the draft emphasizes that this time should be broken up into shorter periods to prevent the negative effects of prolonged screen exposure.
For sixth and seventh graders, the draft permits up to two hours of daily screen time, provided usage includes scheduled breaks with teacher guidance. This increase in time limit is accompanied by mandatory breaks to ensure students are not overstimulated and to provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.
Related: Censure Motion Targets Defense Minister Over Children’s Deaths
The approach shifts significantly for older students. The draft does not establish a specific time limit for eighth through eleventh graders when devices serve a clear pedagogical purpose. Instead, the proposal emphasizes supporting responsible and critical engagement with digital tools at these higher grade levels. This shift reflects the belief that older students can handle screen time more responsibly and can use digital tools to enhance their learning.
Cell Phone Restrictions
General cell phone use would be completely prohibited during the school day under the current draft. This is in line with research that shows cell phone use can negatively impact student learning and social interaction. However, the draft also recognizes that complete prohibition may not be practical or beneficial in all situations.
Exceptions are made for situations involving health needs, inclusion requirements, accessibility accommodations, or genuine emergencies. For instance, a student with a medical condition may need to use their cell phone to monitor their health. In such cases, the school would need to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure the student can participate fully in their education.
When cell phones are used for educational purposes, the draft treats this as exceptional rather than routine. Such use would be tied to specific cases like audiovisual educommunication projects. This is to ensure that cell phones are used for learning purposes and not for personal entertainment. From eighth grade onward, students could use their phones for academic work under direct teacher supervision. This supervision is key to ensure that students are using their phones appropriately and not engaging in off-task behavior.
The document remains in draft form and could change before any final approval. However, it is clear that the proposal aims to establish clear standards for device use within schools while acknowledging that some flexibility serves educational goals. The draft demonstrates a commitment to balancing the potential benefits and risks of screen time and cell phone use, ensuring that technology is used to enhance learning and not detract from it.
