The Trump official who compared ed-tech to the tobacco industry

In a recent meeting, Arielle Roth, a Trump administration official, likened ed-tech to the tobacco industry, sparking a combative atmosphere. Roth, who heads an agency that advises the president on telecommunications matters, had previously criticized the growing presence of screens in American classrooms. She went further than her public statements, drawing a direct parallel between ed-tech companies and those in the tobacco industry, according to two anonymous sources present at the meeting.

The meeting brought together those who support ed-tech and those advocating for federally subsidized internet access in schools. Roth suggested that, like the tobacco industry, ed-tech companies were pushing products that could cause serious harm, fueling concerns among some attendees. The comparison to tobacco, which has been linked to millions of deaths, left many stunned and offended.

Roth, when asked about her comments, stated that she made a "frank discussion" with those present, but she could not recall the specific analogies used. She emphasized that ed-tech companies have a financial interest in their industry and that it's crucial to ensure their interests align with children's well-being. Roth's agency, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, has already initiated a review of the $3 billion federal school internet fund, known as E-Rate, as part of their efforts to ensure that federal subsidies do not lead to excessive and ineffective ed-tech use.

Education officials and advocates argue that internet access is essential to modern schools, and many are worried about potential cuts to the program. Roth herself, a mother of six, sees concerns about school screen time as deeply personal. At a listening session on excessive screen use, a pediatrician, Erin Amini, shared her experience of kindergarten-aged children having their screen use limited by school devices, making the decision about screen time no longer theirs.

Some districts are already limiting screen use, following the growing pressure from parents. In response to the meeting, Roth's agency raised the possibility of allowing parents to opt out of ed-tech. However, many submitted comments emphasized the value of federal internet funding. Richard Culatta, head of an educators' group that supports technology in schools, dismissed the comparison to tobacco as disingenuous, arguing that there is no evidence to support the claim that ed-tech is as harmful as tobacco.

The efficacy of ed-tech remains a subject of debate among researchers, with advocates struggling to prove learning gains and critics unable to demonstrate large declines in test scores. The Trump administration appears divided on the issue, with some parts promoting ed-tech and others advocating for limitations.