Indiana to Limit Classroom Technology Use in January
New legislation may require more paper-and-pencil assignments for students from pre-K through eighth grade.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Homework
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State Representative Jake Teshka plans to introduce legislation during the upcoming January legislative session to restrict daily student technology use in Indiana classrooms. This proposal aims to address growing concerns regarding the developmental impact of excessive screen time on students.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are responding to concerns about social and emotional development, seeking to reduce classroom distractions and improve student well-being. This shift could change how daily coursework is assigned, moving away from digital platforms toward traditional pencil-and-paper tasks.
Four states have already implemented school screen-time limits, a benchmark that informs the upcoming legislative debate in Indiana. It remains to be seen how the proposed bill will specifically restrict classroom device frequency compared to existing school policies.
The players
Jake Teshka
An Indiana State Representative leading the push for new classroom technology regulations.
Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project
An advocacy group that develops standards for limiting student screen time and promoting analog classroom materials.
The details
The proposed legislation seeks to regulate how often students interact with digital devices during school hours to minimize distraction. The Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project suggests limiting one-to-one device usage to high schools while requiring students from pre-K through eighth grade to transition back to paper-and-pencil homework. This framework is designed to prioritize student developmental needs over constant digital connectivity.
Timeline
The Indiana legislative session is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
The Home Front
This move builds upon Indiana's existing bell-to-bell school cellphone ban, signaling a broader state-level trend toward reducing digital reliance in education. It represents a shift from allowing local district autonomy to standardizing technology usage across the state.
Parents of students in pre-K through eighth grade should prepare for a potential shift in how homework is assigned, including a return to traditional pen-and-paper materials. Families may want to track the legislative session to see if their local district adjustments will impact their child's specific school supply list.
The takeaway
This proposed legislation reflects a growing movement to prioritize focus and developmental health over constant digital engagement in schools. Parents should monitor the legislative calendar in January to see if their household will need to adjust for a return to more analog schoolwork requirements.
What happens next
The legislative session begins in January 2027, when the proposed bill will be introduced for formal consideration by the General Assembly.
Further reading
For more on managing digital assignments and academic workflows, visit the Homework section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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