Districts across the U.S. are reversing or tightening technology-first classroom policies after concerns that screen and device use is not improving student outcomes—and may be linked to worsening student behavior and mental health, according to a reported shift in school practices. McPherson Middle School in Kansas, for example, banned cellphones and later also limited Chromebook use, restricting laptops to teacher-assigned activities. Other districts and states have reportedly moved to reduce device access, with Maine’s long-running laptop initiative described as failing to improve test scores after years. The reported rationale points to research correlations between frequent in-class computer use and lower math and science performance, especially when usage is near-daily for students. Although the reporting centers on K-12, the policy swing affects higher education indirectly through pre-service teacher training, instructional design norms, and the credibility of ed-tech pilots backed by federal or state grant streams. Universities preparing educators will likely face renewed expectations for evidence-based technology use.