FCC Launches Sweeping Review of $3B School Internet Subsidy Program Over Screen Time Concerns The Federal Communications Commission is initiating a comprehensive review of its E-Rate program, which provides $3 billion annually for school internet subsidies. This action is driven by concerns that increased screen time in schools, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, may be linked to declining academic performance in reading, math, and cognitive development. The review also aims to enhance parental awareness and oversight of how these federally funded technologies are used in classrooms.

• The FCC is launching a broad review of its E-Rate program, which offers $3 billion in annual discounts for school and library internet access.
• Concerns have been raised that increased screen time in schools is contributing to declining academic performance.
• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr cited research associating excessive screen time with poor educational outcomes.
• The review aims to empower parents with more knowledge about technology use in classrooms.
• The FCC wants to ensure the program supports positive educational outcomes, not distractions.
• Possible reforms include new guardrails, transparency requirements, or funding changes.
• The FCC is scheduled to vote on formally opening the review on June 25.
• National academic performance, including 12th-graders’ math and reading scores, has shown a significant decline.