Feds target school internet subsidies in ed-tech backlash even as Trump touts AI
S. Like many parents, Arielle Roth has concerns about her children’s screen time at school. But unlike her peers, she’s in a position to influence the issue at nearly every school in America. Roth heads an obscure federal agency within the Commerce Department that serves as the president’s top…
Federal officials are scrutinizing federal school internet subsidies as part of an ongoing backlash against education technology, even as President Trump champions artificial intelligence (AI) in schools. Arielle Roth, the federal agency head overseeing telecommunications issues, has advocated for more scrutiny of these federal policies.
In response, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is conducting a comprehensive review of the $3 billion annual E-Rate program, which helps schools cover internet expenses. The FCC aims to determine if the program has served its purpose, as well as whether additional safeguards or updates are needed to better protect kids online.
The review comes amid conflicting pressures on schools to limit screen time and prepare students for a job market that relies on AI. Critics argue that subsidized internet access has fostered greater consumption and can encourage unhealthy habits, while supporters claim that internet access has been transformative for education.
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