Moms for Liberty, a conservative activist group known for its fierce criticism of teachers’ unions, is now working with some of those same organizations on a common concern: limiting the use of technology in public school classrooms.The change comes after years of rivalry. Since its founding in 2021, Moms for Liberty has described teacher unions as an “education mafia” that parents “can’t trust,” accusing them of pandemic-era school closures and accusing teachers of providing LGBTQ-themed books as “groomers.” The group has also labeled the unions “radical”, saying they “don’t care about children” and “prioritize power over students”, according to the report. NBC News. Despite this record, both parties now support efforts to curb student screen time.
Iowa Bill Gets support from both sides.
In Iowa, the state teachers union is supporting the bill with the support of a Republican lawmaker who is also the leader of the Liberty chapter. The proposal would restrict computer use by elementary school students and allow parents to opt out of device-based instruction for their children.Melissa Patterson, a lobbyist for the Iowa State Education Association, told NBC News, “We don’t want to immediately kick someone out just because of our perception of their organization.” She added that she welcomes Moms for Liberty to the table “if they want to use their powers for good.”Mother responded in kind to Liberty’s leaders. Speaking to teachers unions, CEO Tina Deskovich said: “Welcome to the fight,” as NBC News reported.Deskovich continued to criticize national unions, calling them “abhorrent,” but signaled his support for state-level cooperation. “When they are ready to put the rights of parents first and defend the rights of parents, we will stand with them every time,” he said, according to NBC News.
Push gains traction in the States.
The issue of educational technology has drawn the attention of parents across political lines. In districts from Los Angeles to the Washington, D.C., suburbs, conservative and liberal parent groups are urging schools to reduce their reliance on laptops and tablets, citing concerns about behavior, focus, and exposure to inappropriate online content.That pressure has sparked a series of bipartisan proposals in state legislatures. Advocacy groups including Defending Education and Utah Parents United have joined Moms for Liberty in supporting limits on classroom technology.“It really cuts across partisan lines in a way that I haven’t seen in a long time,” Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told NBC News. “A lot of other issues are clearly dividing people along partisan lines, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”He added that the issue presents an opportunity for conservatives to “connect with people on the ground and with everyday parents who may not have supported right-leaning groups in the past.”
Teachers unions have had a mixed response
Teacher unions are not united on this issue. National organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, have generally supported the use of technology in classrooms, although some leaders say limits may be necessary.Randy Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told NBC News that the collaboration sends a broader message. He said that this shows that we are not enemies. “It shows that we may disagree on an issue or two, but at the end of the day, teachers, their unions and families really want the best for our kids.”Positions vary at the state level. The Kansas branch of the National Education Association has opposed the law banning devices for younger students. However, in Missouri, the union’s state chapter supported a bill to study and set limits on school-issued technology.In Iowa, after the state House passed the proposal, Moms for Liberty called it “a bipartisan win for Iowa students” and highlighted the support of Democratic co-sponsor Rep. Heather Mattson.
A change in strategy
Education researchers say the focus on technology changes the nature of the debate. University of California, Los Angeles professor John Rogers told NBC News that earlier disputes over books and curriculum often became personal, with teachers and librarians accused of political bias.By comparison, concerns about technology are more about systems and companies. For local advocates, the issue revolves around student outcomes.
Common land, with boundaries
Cooperation does not eliminate deep differences over curriculum and education policy. But on the question of screen time, groups that have often been at loggerheads are now moving in the same direction, saying their backing of limits will benefit student learning and well-being.
