Schools across the country are struggling with how to manage their students’ use of phones and social media. Some are banning devices and technology outright, while others are setting limits. One middle school is trying another tactic to curb screen time.
In March 2024, Castilleja School (CA) hosted its first Tech-Free Week, with more than 180 middle students turning off all screens in classrooms for one week. The idea was inspired by Laura Zappas, head of middle school at Castilleja, who wanted to raise awareness of the role technology plays in students’ lives. Since students use laptops in the classroom, there are constant distractions, which can impact students’ ability to focus and learn, to engage with complex texts, and to be present for each other. Zappas hoped Tech-Free Week would encourage the community to unplug to focus on their well-being and deepen connections.
Students were encouraged to take notes by hand, complete homework on paper, and use paper-based sources and materials. They went off campus to plant trees and sort groceries at a local food pantry. They participated in wellness sessions, games, and craft-making. To track their progress, students completed surveys and self-reflections before and after Tech-Free Week and recorded the time spent on homework each day.
The surveys showed that 42% of students reported improved focus in class and reduced distractions during schoolwork. The same percentage of students gained an increased awareness of their technology dependency and a desire to curb their technology usage. Some even reported unplugging after school or going to bed earlier.
Nearly all Castilleja middle school teachers said they would like to repeat Tech-Free Week again next year, with 70% saying they’d like to see at least one each semester.
“Tech-Free Week raised the students’ consciousness about the role technology plays in their lives, and it’s given teachers a chance to rethink their practice,” Zappas says. “Now that we know we can do it, I am looking forward to thinking about ways to incorporate all we have learned into future practice.”
Students at Castilleja School during their Tech-Free Week in March 2024.