Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Noida Schools Cap Smart Board Screen Time At 30-60 Minutes
The people in charge of schools in Noida made a new rule.
Young children in primary school can only use the big classroom screen for 30 minutes each day.
Older children can use the screen for up to 60 minutes a day.
Parents had complained that children were looking at these screens for four or five hours every day.
Looking at a screen for too long can make your eyes tired and give you headaches.
It can also make it harder to pay attention in class.
That is why teachers are now asked to use regular blackboards for writing and practicing.
Screens should mostly be used to show pictures, videos, and explain hard ideas.
Children should also take a short break from the screen every 20 minutes.
And their eyes should be checked by a doctor every three months.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration capped smart and digital board screen time at 30 minutes daily for primary students and 60 minutes for upper-primary students in schools across Noida and Greater Noida.
The directions apply to all government, aided and private schools, and were issued after parents' associations complained children were spending four to five hours a day using smart boards.
The administration warned that prolonged screen exposure can increase the risk of eye strain, short-sightedness, headaches, reduced concentration and other physical and behavioural problems.
Smart boards should be used mainly for difficult concepts and visual material, while blackboards, whiteboards and greenboards must be used for writing, practice and participatory activities.
Schools must provide breaks after about 20 minutes of screen use, conduct quarterly eye examinations, and follow NCERT guidelines and the 20-20-20 practice for online classes.
- Who
- The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration and schools across Noida and Greater Noida.
- What
- Daily smart and digital board screen time capped at 30 minutes for primary students and 60 minutes for upper-primary students.
- When
- Directions announced on Thursday.
- Where
- Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, India.
- Why
- Parents' associations complained that children spent four to five hours a day on smart boards, and the administration cited health risks from prolonged screen exposure.
- District
- Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida)
- Scope
- All government, aided and private schools
- Primary class screen cap
- 30 minutes per day
- Upper-primary screen cap
- 60 minutes per day
- Reason for move
- Parents' complaints of 4-5 hours of daily smart board use
- Screen break rule
- Break after about 20 minutes of continuous screen use
- Eye examinations
- Quarterly, with reports shared with parents
- Online classes
- NCERT guidelines and 20-20-20 practice
