Whether it be researching for a history essay, binging Netflix, or FaceTiming friends about math homework, nobody likes slow service. Many know the familiar sinking feeling of a frozen computer or that dreaded spinning wheel. Since slow service is a grievance of Parker students, the repeal of net neutrality, makes some think this could become a constant. Do Parker students really understand the complexity of the issue?

On December 14, the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) voted on a bill, created by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, to repeal net neutrality standards set in 2015. Pai argues that net neutrality was hindering the innovation and growth of internet companies. There are politicians who agree with Pai’s bill, but there are also skeptics who argue it will hinder our internet connection and make access to the internet more costly, while only benefiting large internet monopolies.

So what is net neutrality, anyway? Net neutrality is the basic principle that large internet providers, such as AT&T or Verizon, are prohibited from hindering the browsing experience of their customers. This means large corporations are not allowed to purposefully speed up, slow down, or block internet usage. Net neutrality also forbids large providers from providing extra service to certain powerhouse companies, such as Google. This way, smaller companies don’t have to compete for equal data. These have always been the guidelines.

As of 2016, nine-in-ten Americans had access to the internet and nearly 77% of all Americans owned a smartphone, according to the Pew Research Center. In a survey of 81 Parker students, 77 students said that they owned smartphones, and 78 said that they owned a computer. In the same survey, 9 of the students said that they agree with the repeal of net neutrality, 59 students disagreed, and 7 students didn’t know what net neutrality was.

Sophomore Jared Saef is in slight disagreement with the views of a number of upper school students. “A lot of people our age like to believe something is bad or good based on one internet post,” Saef said, “but I need to invest more time into the ups and downs of repealing net neutrality and the ups and downs of keeping it.”
On the other hand, sophomore and head of Computer Technology Committee (CTC) William Rantala agrees with the majority of students who responded to the survey. “It’s a pretty important thing to have open markets and internet in America,” Rantala said. “Ajit Pai thinks he’s doing right for major businesses by repealing net neutrality, but it makes the average consumer have to possibly spend more money and gives internet service providers too much power.”

According to Director of Technology Peter Evans, Parker uses technology to its maximum potential. “Internet is used all day, every day,” Evans said. “I try to treat the internet connection here in the same way we would treat the power or water. It’s a commodity that has to work.”

With the construction of the school’s Kovler library, the presence of technology has become an even stronger force at Parker. “We were keeping mobile technology in mind as the standard as of today,” upper school librarian Annette Lesak said, “and it will probably be the standard in the future.” The library was graced with interactive projectors, large mobile devices, laser cutters, and virtual reality screens, among other pieces of hardware.
In Lesak’s opinion, the repeal of net neutrality could alter the way in which students conduct research. “If some websites are slower to load because they don’t have a lot of funding behind them,” Lesak said, “your access to information might change.”
As the teacher of the upper school’s social entrepreneurship class, Lesak believes the loss of net neutrality could have serious consequences for small businesses. “Not all startups will be created equal in a world without net neutrality,” Lesak said, “and it will actually dampen entrepreneurship and innovation.”