Too Much Screen Time? How Online School Can Actually Mean LESS Screen Time for Your Child
One of the first questions parents may have about online school is, “Won’t my child be on a computer all day?”
It’s a fair question.
But here’s the thing: online school doesn't have to mean all-day screen time.
At New Gains Academy, our students have approximately four hours of dedicated learning time—but only about two of those hours involve live online instruction.
So what happens during the rest of the day?
We put the screens away.
Students write. They read. They research. They work with learning cards and hands-on manipulatives. They use globes. They complete assignments. They practice skills and work independently.
Technology is a tool we use for learning. It isn't the entire classroom.
Why Does This Matter?
Children need opportunities to move, look away from screens, use their hands, think independently, and interact with learning in different ways.
Too much recreational or sedentary screen time can contribute to problems such as poor sleep, reduced physical activity, difficulty focusing, and eye strain. That's why balance is important.
We also believe children benefit from learning how to pause and reset.
Take a breath. Stretch. Look away from the screen. Get up and move around. Then come back ready to learn.
Online Learning Can Still Be Hands-On
This is something we want parents to understand.
A child attending school online doesn't mean they should spend the entire school day staring at a screen.
At New Gains Academy, we intentionally create opportunities for students to write, touch, move, explore, research, practice, and think.
Because learning doesn't only happen on a computer.
Sometimes, the best learning happens when the screen is turned off.
At New Gains Academy, technology is one of our tools—not our entire classroom.