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Murcia's new school screen time plan fails to convince parents and paediatricians
The Region’s new digital education strategy has come under fire for failing to align with paediatric health guidelines
A new digital strategy set to be introduced in the Region of Murcia’s schools from September 2025 has stirred significant controversy. The regional government plans to implement an Order titled the Seal of Digital Educational Quality as part of its broader push to regulate screen use among pupils and modernise digital education. However, critics argue the plan could be harmful to children’s health and learning.
The parents’ platform Asociación Sin Pantallas (No Screens Movement) has denounced the initiative, claiming it will “worsen, exponentially, the already bad situation of our schools” and “give free rein to the digitalisation business in the classrooms of the Region of Murcia”.
The group, which formed in opposition to excessive digitalisation in schools, argues the new rules favour technological tools over pedagogical and developmental best practices.
The controversy comes after the Region of Murcia became the first in Spain to introduce a complete ban on mobile phones in schools at the start of 2024. Since then, official data show a 24.4% drop in cyberbullying cases, a 73% reduction in overall harassment incidents and an improvement in student grades. Building on that success, the regional administration now aims to go further by restricting other types of screen use, such as tablets.
According to the draft order currently under public consultation, screen time would be limited to one hour per day in primary schools and two hours in secondary education. In addition, gamified educational programmes would be reduced and passive tablet use would be banned. The regulation also includes the promotion of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms, which is the particularly contentious point for opponents.
“The regulation does not respect the screen exposure times recommended by the Spanish Association of Paediatrics,” said a spokesperson for Asociación Sin Pantallas. “It is also an attack on the right to education, as it favours the inclusion of digital tools and AI without evidence that they are an improvement.”
Data have shown that 69% of Spanish children exceed the maximum recommended screen exposure time of 60 minutes a day, while 84% of 1-3 year olds and 88% of 4-6 year olds exceed this limit, indicating early and prolonged exposure to electronic devices.
The group’s concerns have been echoed by the Southeast Spanish Paediatrics Society, which has filed a formal objection to the draft order. The society expressed “deep concern about the technological approach of the draft and the lack of health guarantees for minors,” noting that the proposal goes against the guidelines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics, which advises against screen use before age 6 and calls for strict limits thereafter.
The Regional Ministry of Education in Murcia has defended its proposal, stating that “schools should not live with their backs turned to reality” and that responsible, guided use of modern digital tools, including AI, is necessary in today’s educational environment.
While Spain, the UK and other countries are banning phones and reducing screen time in schools, Europe’s top performer in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s programme for international student assessment, Estonia, is doubling down on teaching students responsible use of AI and digital tools as a necessary preparation for modern life.
But critics argue that economic and political motivations are influencing education policy at the expense of children’s wellbeing. “Our first and foremost objective is the promotion of school health and the right to quality education, not conditioned by partisan or economic interests,” said the No Screens group, which has also hosted talks at the Official College of Doctors of the Region of Murcia and collaborated with other national movements such as Manifiesto OFF and Adolescencia Libre de Móviles.
As the draft regulation in Murcia remains open for public feedback, the No Screens movement is urging families and professionals to sign their official objections and join their campaign to halt the Order before the 2025/26 academic year begins.
Those who wish to support the initiative or sign the petition can do so by submitting the Google Form online here.
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