10/18/2023

Republicans Want Schools to Block Social Media or Lose Internet Funds

Digital rights groups have spoken out against such efforts

On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers are proposing legislation to block children from using social media in school, preventing access to the platforms on poorer schools' networks that receive federal broadband subsidies, the latest in a growing crop of bills to bar younger users from sites such as TikTok and Instagram.

The measure illustrates how policymakers are turning to a broadening and increasingly aggressive arsenal of tools to try to restrict children’s online activity amid concerns about their safety.

Led by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the bill would require that schools prohibit youths from using social media on their networks to be eligible to for the E-Rate program, which provides lower prices for internet access.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.