Teachers’ Union Urges Schools to Curb A.I. Chatbots and Screen Time

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) urged schools to eliminate digital devices for children in prekindergarten through second grade and restrict AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini for elementary students. In a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, AFT President Randi Weingarten argued that excessive screen time harms young children’s socialization and critical thinking, citing research from author Jonathan Haidt. The campaign, part of a broader push to reduce school reliance on technology, follows reports of parents and educators opposing widespread use of school-issued devices. Weingarten emphasized that early education should focus on human interaction rather than AI tools, warning that unchecked tech use could ‘lose a generation of kids.’ Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest public school system, recently announced plans to phase out tablets for youngest students and implement screen-time limits. Meanwhile, advocacy groups have called for a five-year pause on generative AI in schools, citing concerns over privacy and developmental impacts. The AFT’s stance reflects growing tensions between tech companies promoting AI in education and critics who argue for stricter oversight. Weingarten stressed the need for federal privacy and safety standards to govern AI tools in classrooms, framing the issue as an urgent priority for educators.