Henrico Schools Implements New Screen Time Limits, Bans Digital Homework for Elementary Students, and Restricts YouTube Access

Henrico Schools has introduced new policies for the 2026-2027 school year, setting daily screen time limits for pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students, prohibiting digital homework for elementary students, and removing YouTube access on school-issued devices for elementary and middle schoolers. High school laptops will have the 'highest instructional restriction setting' for YouTube. These guidelines, developed through focus groups with educators and parents and informed by research from the American Pediatric Association, aim to ensure technology use is purposeful and developmentally appropriate. Educators will receive training this week, and the 'HCPS Digital Wellness Guide' will be released to students and families during the first week of school.