As parents, we want the best for our children, including a safe and enriching learning environment. But when schools introduce technology like Chromebooks or educational apps, have you ever paused to ask: What happens to my child’s data at school? If not, you’re not alone, but it’s time we all start asking tough questions. Here’s why it’s a good idea to pay attention to tech at school and your child’s privacy.
The Truth About School Technology
Most parents assume that the technology their kids use in school is designed with safety and education in mind. Unfortunately, research published in 2021 by The Me2B Alliance Product Testing team(1) reveals a troubling reality:
- Rampant Data Sharing: More than 60% of school apps tested send student data to third-party platforms, often to advertisers. On average, each app connects to over 10 third-party data channels.
- Used for Other Purposes: Research shows that once data is shared with third parties, it can be used for purposes far beyond education.
- Legal Loopholes: Loopholes in privacy laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) allow EdTech companies to collect and commercialize student data without explicit parental consent.
What Happens to Shared Data
These are a few examples of how data collected on school devices can be used (it’s about much more than just personalized ads!):
- Profiling: Apps often transmit personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, device IDs, and locations, which can be used to build detailed profiles of students. These profiles can track behavior, preferences, and even vulnerabilities.
- Behavioral Targeting: Data is frequently sent to advertising platforms like Google and Facebook, where it can be used to serve targeted ads. This includes ads based on the student’s activities, interests, and even emotional states, as inferred from their interactions.
- Cross-Platform Tracking: Unique identifiers like Mobile Advertising IDs (MAIDs) allow data to be linked across apps and devices, creating a cohesive digital portrait of a child’s activities, both in school and beyond.
- Data Sharing Loops: High-risk platforms often sync data with dozens or even hundreds of partners in their networks. This creates a chain reaction, where a single app’s data-sharing agreement can result in a child’s information being accessible to countless third parties.
- Monetization: In many cases, data is sold to advertisers or analytics companies, directly contributing to the revenues of these third parties while providing no clear educational benefit.
Increasing Class Inequalities
Public schools in low-income areas are particularly susceptible to these practices for several reasons, as highlighted by the research findings:
- Funding Constraints: Public schools often operate on limited budgets, which can lead them to adopt free or low-cost EdTech solutions. These tools frequently offset their costs by monetizing user data through advertising or selling insights to third parties.
- Reliance on Big EdTech: Public schools often partner with large technology providers like Google and Microsoft, whose tools are embedded with data-collecting features. While these companies offer robust educational platforms, they also benefit from the data these tools generate.
- Limited Oversight: Public schools may lack the technical expertise or resources to critically evaluate the data practices of the apps and platforms they use. Decisions about technology adoption are often made at the district level, where administrators might not have full visibility into the risks posed by these tools.
- Broad Implementation: Public schools serve a wide and diverse population, making them attractive targets for companies interested in gathering data at scale. This large user base increases the appeal of entering agreements with public schools for EdTech providers.
These factors can increase class inequalities, as private schools or well-funded public schools often have more resources to select and implement technology with robust privacy protections carefully. They may be able to afford premium, privacy-focused tools or have the capacity to develop their own secure platforms.
Why This Should Concern Every Parent
Children’s digital footprints are being created and monetized without their knowledge or yours. This isn’t just an invasion of privacy—it’s a direct threat to their safety and autonomy. These practices:
- Expose Kids to Risks: Their data could be sold, hacked, or misused, potentially following them for years.
- Undermine Rights: By sidestepping consent, these practices teach children that their rights don’t matter.
- Have long-term impacts: The digital profiles created from the data shared could influence future opportunities, such as college admissions, employment, or targeted advertising for predatory products.
Open communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators is crucial to address concerns about tech at school and your child’s privacy. After all, we are all in this together, and care deeply about the children and youth in our lives.
What Can You Do?
Here’s are some tips about how you can take action to protect your child’s privacy.
Ask Questions:
- What agreements about privacy does the school have with technology providers?
- Does the school disclose how your child’s data is used? Is there an opt-out policy, and what are the alternatives?
Advocate for Transparency:
- Urge schools to demand better privacy agreements with technology providers.
- Push for plain-language privacy policies that detail data usage clearly.
Educate Yourself and Others:
- Learn about privacy laws and the rights they’re supposed to guarantee.
- Share resources with other parents to build collective awareness and demand change.
Support Stronger Policies:
- Back efforts to require explicit parental consent before data is shared.
- Advocate for independent audits of educational technology to ensure compliance with privacy standards.
Final Thoughts
You can make informed decisions about your child’s digital education by understanding the potential risks of tech at school and your child’s privacy. Every parent has the power to make a difference. By asking questions, raising concerns, and working collaboratively with schools, you can help ensure that your child’s data is treated with the respect and care it deserves. Schools and parents share the same goal: creating a safe, enriching environment for children to learn and grow. When we come together to advocate for better privacy practices, we not only protect our own children but also pave the way for a safer, fairer educational system for all. Your voice matters—start the conversation today.
(1) Here is a link to the research quoted in this article: School Mobile Apps Student Data Sharing Behavior
Data Girl and Friends has a version of this article for youth: What You Should Know About School Technology and Data Sharing