MSDE releases digital devices safety guidelines, receives backlash
BALTIMORE — The Maryland State Department of Education, Monday, July 1, released a long-anticipated list of health and safety practices for digital device use by children in schools.
The list, which came after a push by parents and lawmakers to protect children against the effects of excessive exposure to device screens, offered several safety suggestions.
The suggestions included implementing device time limits, encouraging students to monitor their postures and maintaining even lighting to “ensure minimal contrast between device screen light and classroom lighting.”
After a Maryland law was passed in May 2018, the MSDE had until July 1, 2019, to produce and make public the list of safety suggestions for local school districts to consider.
The list’s recent release on the MSDE website prompted backlash from some of the law’s supporters, as well as national advocates. They took to social media to share their disapproval.
Cindy Eckard, the Maryland mother who was a leading force in the law’s introduction and passage, called the suggestion list “very buried.” She also said it was “embarrassingly short on readily available research.”
Eckard said the release “could’ve been more responsible, it could’ve been well researched, and it could’ve had some real teeth behind it.”
“It could’ve provided some actual medical underpinnings other than one or another pediatrician sharing CONTINUE READING: MSDE releases digital devices safety guidelines, receives backlash | Spotlight | stardem.com