Unlikely Allies Unite Against Ed Tech Overuse in Schools

In a surprising alignment, organizations once at odds, including conservative parent groups and teachers unions, are collaborating across states to push for limits on screen time and technology use in public education.

A Notable Shift in Educational Activism

The conservative activist group Moms for Liberty, launched in 2021, has historically been a vocal critic of teachers unions. The organization has previously characterized unions as an "education mafia," accused them of prioritizing power over students, and held them responsible for pandemic-era school closures. Furthermore, Moms for Liberty has labeled educators who provide LGBTQ-themed books to children as "groomers" and asserted that unions are "radical" and "don't care about kids."

However, this year marks a significant shift as Moms for Liberty finds common ground with some of its former adversaries. Chapters of Moms for Liberty and other conservative parent groups are now joining forces with local teachers unions and liberal-leaning parents. Their shared objective is to advocate for reduced screen time for children in schools and to pressure school districts and state lawmakers to implement restrictions on educational technology, or "ed tech."

In Iowa, this unexpected partnership has translated into concrete action. The Iowa State Education Association, a teachers union, is backing a bill co-sponsored by a Republican lawmaker who also serves as a Moms for Liberty chapter leader. This proposed legislation aims to restrict elementary students' computer use and allow parents to opt their children out of using devices at school.

Melissa Peterson, a lobbyist for the Iowa State Education Association, expressed openness to the collaboration. "We don't want to immediately tune someone out just because of our perceptions about their organization," she stated, welcoming Moms for Liberty to the table "if they want to use their powers for good." Tina Descovich, CEO of Moms for Liberty, reciprocated the sentiment, saying "Welcome to the fight" to the teachers unions. While Descovich maintains that national teachers unions are "despicable," she affirmed her willingness to work with state groups. "When they're willing to put parental rights of children first and defend parental rights, we will stand with them every time," she added.

A Shared Concern Takes Root

Moms for Liberty's newfound focus on student technology use, following years of activism centered on race and gender issues in schools, underscores a broadening debate surrounding ed tech. Across the nation, from Los Angeles to the Washington, D.C. suburbs, groups of parents spanning the political spectrum have begun urging school districts to scale back on providing each student with a laptop or tablet, or at least to reduce their in-classroom usage. Their concerns include behavioral problems and students' potential access to inappropriate online content.

This growing movement has spurred a wave of bipartisan state legislation designed to set limits on ed tech. Organizations like Moms for Liberty, Defending Education, and Utah Parents United, among other conservative parent groups, have provided testimony in support of these legislative efforts.

Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, highlighted the unique nature of this issue. "It really cuts across partisan lines in a way that I haven't seen in a long time," DeAngelis observed. "A lot of other issues are clearly dividing people in a partisan way, but this one doesn't seem to." He views this as an opportunity for conservatives, particularly those who advocate for subsidizing private education, "to make inroads with people on the ground and everyday parents who might not have been as supportive of right-leaning groups in the past."

Bridging Divides, For Now

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, a national teachers union, welcomed Moms for Liberty's involvement in the battle over ed tech. "It shows that we're not enemies," Weingarten said. "It shows that we may have a difference on an issue or two, but at the end of the day, teachers, their unions and families really want the best for our kids."

Despite this collaborative spirit, teachers unions themselves exhibit internal divisions regarding ed tech restrictions. National organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, have historically defended technology in schools, although Weingarten acknowledges that its implementation sometimes "goes too far." For instance, the Kansas branch of the National Education Association opposed legislation that would entirely prohibit elementary students from using computers or tablets.

Conversely, in Missouri, the state chapter of the National Education Association joined Defending Education in supporting a bill aimed at addressing concerns over student technology use. This varied response highlights the complex and evolving landscape of educational technology policy within both parent advocacy groups and professional educator organizations.

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