1776 Project Foundation Applauds FCC Rulemaking on E-Rate Accountability and Screen Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 1776 Project Foundation today joined a broad coalition of child protection, family advocacy, and policy organizations in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Ensuring Children’s Safe Use of Screens and E-Rate-Funded Services, at the Commission’s June 25 Open Meeting.

The coalition letter, addressed to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, commends the Commission for taking long-overdue action to examine whether federally subsidized school technology is serving children’s educational and developmental needs.

“The E-Rate program was designed to expand access to educational opportunity, not to funnel taxpayer dollars into devices that expose children to pornography, predatory behavior, and content that harms their mental health,” said Aiden Buzzetti, President of the 1776 Project Foundation. “Chairman Carr is asking exactly the right questions, and we are proud to stand with this coalition in support of this rulemaking.”

The 1776 Project Foundation, which is committed to civic education and the healthy formation of America’s next generation, has long recognized that children cannot flourish in environments that prioritize unrestricted screen access over learning, safety, and character development. The proliferation of personal, internet-connected devices in schools, largely funded through the federal E-Rate program, has coincided with documented increases in youth anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and exposure to age-inappropriate content.

The NPRM appropriately seeks public input on strengthening enforcement of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, empowering parents and educators with greater transparency and control, and ensuring that E-Rate-funded services better support genuine educational outcomes.

The 1776 Project Foundation urges the Commission to move swiftly and robustly on this proceeding. America’s children deserve school environments that nurture their minds, protect their safety, and prepare them for citizenship.