Parents Launch Petition to Re-Evaluate Technology Use in Arlington Heights District 25

A growing number of parents in Arlington Heights are calling on the District 25 School Board to rethink the role of screens in local classrooms through a new Change.org petition nearing 1,000 signatures.

The petition, titled “Re-Evaluate Technology Use In Arlington Heights School District 25,” raises concerns that students are required to use district-issued devices far too frequently throughout the school day. Organizers have specifically highlighted the use of iPads among young students, including kindergarteners, arguing that while technology has a valid place in education, it should never replace actual teaching.

The grassroots campaign has gained traction on social media, with supporters sharing the petition using the hashtags #notech and #ipadfreekids. Advocates have pointed to the work of educational researcher Jared Cooney Horvath and his book The Digital Delusion as a key inspiration for their push to reduce screen time. The petition is directly appealing to the Arlington Heights 25 School Board, urging decision-makers to prioritize traditional, interpersonal teaching methods over excessive digital reliance.

Where do you stand on the issue?