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The FCC today approved a review of E-Rate to determine if current subsidized internet services are adequately protecting students.

Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

June 25, 2026 — As expected, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today initiated a comprehensive overhaul of its E-Rate program.

The measure, approved today at the FCC’s June 25 open meeting, drew split ranks on the commission, passing with Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty in favor, and Commissioner Ana Gomez dissenting.

The newly adopted Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 26-41) aims to protect the youth that benefit from E-Rate services, a June 25 release from the FCC says.

Advocates of the E-Rate program, meanwhile, have flagged concerns with the FCC’s newfound focus.

The newly adopted FCC measure kicks off a formal “notice and comment” rulemaking process to significantly overhaul how the federal E-Rate program—which subsidizes internet access for eligible schools and libraries—protects children and tracks screen time.

Driven by concerns over the sheer volume of “hours per day children of all ages now spend online,” the agency says they’re questioning whether its historical implementation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) goes far enough to “sufficiently protect children from inappropriate and harmful content.”

The regulatory framework will also examine the legal logistics of tracking screen time for children, the FCC says.

Some AI tools also assisted in the crafting of this report.

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