Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Parents Can Reduce School Device Distractions With Simple Strategies
Tablets and computers can help children do their schoolwork, but games, messages and websites can also distract them.
Parents can turn on Do Not Disturb or other focus settings to quiet notifications.
They can also limit certain apps or set daily screen-time rules.
Deleting a distracting app is another option.
School-owned devices may have rules that only the school can change.
Parents can ask the school what controls are available.
Children may focus better in a quiet workspace and when they use only one device at a time.
Experts suggest doing difficult work when a child is most alert and starting homework before it gets too late.
The goal is to teach children how to manage their attention, not to watch every move they make.
Parents can use notification controls, app restrictions, website blocks and time limits to reduce distractions on personal devices.
School-managed tablets and computers may have settings parents cannot change, so families should ask schools about available controls.
Google Family Link and Apple Family Sharing can help manage children’s screen time on supported devices.
Deleting an app that repeatedly distracts a child can remove the temptation to use it during homework.
Experts recommend routines, dedicated workspaces, attention-aware scheduling and helping children build independent focus skills.
- Who
- Parents, students, schools and attention expert Gloria Mark are discussed.
- What
- The report offers ways to prevent tablets and computers from distracting children from schoolwork.
- Where
- The advice applies to children using personal or school-issued devices; one example comes from Battle Ground Public Schools in Washington.
- Why
- Games, social media, notifications and browsing can interrupt concentration, weaken learning and potentially interfere with sleep.
More Device Controls
Less Monitoring, More Independence
Managing distractions
More Device Controls
Parents and schools can use notification silencing, app restrictions, time limits, website blocks and overnight login rules to help children stay focused and protect sleep.
Less Monitoring, More Independence
Experts say controls alone are not foolproof and that children should also learn to understand their own attention and manage technology intentionally.
Reducing technology use
More Device Controls
Parents may ask schools whether assignments can be completed on paper or remove distracting apps from devices.
Less Monitoring, More Independence
Reducing technology entirely can have tradeoffs because some digital tools provide individualized instruction and help students develop technology skills.
- Personal devices
- Parents may be able to block websites, restrict notifications, limit apps or remove them.
- School-issued devices
- Schools may manage settings and restrict what parents can change.
- Apple controls
- Focus modes can silence notifications, calls and texts; Family Sharing can manage controls for linked child devices.
- Android and Chromebook controls
- Google Family Link can manage settings and screen-time limits on a child’s Android device or Chromebook.
- App limits
- Depending on the device, parents can restrict app categories or set daily limits for individual apps.
- School example
- Battle Ground Public Schools introduced overnight login restrictions for some elementary and middle school students using school-issued Chromebooks.
- Attention strategies
- Experts recommend scheduling demanding work during a child’s most alert periods and avoiding simultaneous device use.