Union Calls for Less Tech in Classrooms for Students in Early Years to Improve Workforce  

Labor Landscape  

The nation’s second largest teacher’s union, Federation of Teachers, (AFT) has called for schools to stop giving digital devices like iPads to children in pre-kindergarten to second grade.  

The union has also urged elementary schools to avoid using artificial intelligence tools like Open AI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Kahn Academy’s Khanmigo with children. And there is also a call for new national privacy and safety standards  for AI tools in all schools.  The union says “children are drowning in tech.’’ 

Billy Hileman, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said he supports the AFT’s push to minimize the use of technology in classrooms for elementary age students.  

“Certainly, Pittsburgh Public school teachers, and all educators are concerned about the amount of technology used by students,’’ said Hileman.  “Children need to learn how to think rationally, how to use evidence. Too much reliance on technology will result in less time developing problem-solving skills,’’ said Hileman.   

The union’s effort reflects a backlash among parents and educators against heavy use of school-issued laptops and apps. Some parents and nonprofit children’s groups are also pushing back against campaigns by tech giants like Google and OpenAI  to spread their AI products in schools.  

Last month, the Los Angeles United School District, the second largest U.S. school district, said it would eliminate school devices like tablets for younger students , as well as introducing screen-time limits for every grade. Separately, dozens of parents and health groups called for a five-year pause on the use of generative AI products like Gemini and ChatGPT in schools.  

Susan Croft of Washington, Pa. said she does not want her twin sons using any AI in their pre-kindergarten classes. “I want my boys to learn to be creative and enjoy playing and reading storybooks instead of punching buttons on a computer tablet,’’ said Croft, a freelance writer.  “I want my kids to learn how to write without the use of artificial intelligence, ‘’ she added. “I do think the workforce will be improved by more creative thinking workers,’’ Croft said. 

In fact, Common Sense Media has found that 86 percent of kids have used AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Nearly a quarter said they us AI every day.  And the survey found that nearly 44 percent of kids have had no conversations with parents about AI safety.  

The survey also found that more than half of kids who have a hard time staying focused on school assignments use AI for schoolwork at least once a week (56 percent ) compared with (45 percent)of kids who don’t struggle as much with focus.  

Still, Audrey Russo, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, cautions that there will be an issue of equity if elementary school children and pre-kindergarten students are limited use of technology.  “So what happens to the students who only get access to tech in school and have no access to technology at home. That creates an imbalance,’’ Russo said.  “I do agree we need some guardrails on the use of technology with younger students,’’ Russo added.  

“But I’d like to see the plan, what is the plan that will be implemented to replace what is done now?’’ Russo asked.  “Certainly we want children to learn problem-solving skills, but there must be some kind of balance,’’ she said. 

In an AI era, skills like problem-solving, critical thinking and  applying ethics have become more important. But the union argues that when working through a challenge, kids now turn to an AI chatbot for an answer.  

Union leaders also argue that the Trump administration’s strong ties to tech companies has led to a laissez-faire approach to addressing the harms of technology like author Jonathan Haidt reports in his best-selling book “The Anxious Generation,’’ which talks about how technology can hook kids, hindering socialization and critical thinking.   

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