Many educational software providers provide useful and engaging content to students, but some can expose student data. His December 2022 report for Internet Safety Labs confirmed that 96 percent of school apps share student data with third parties and 28 percent expose children to ads. These findings highlight the need for K-12 schools to improve data privacy and security practices governing the use of educational technology.
Here are some recommendations to support your school’s commitment to student safety and privacy while ensuring that students have access to technology that supports their learning.
1. Technology leaders must take the lead in data privacy education
Data privacy and security is a shared responsibility within the school community, with administrators, staff, and classroom teachers all playing a role. The district’s IT professionals and security personnel must lead multifaceted educational efforts that involve the entire school community and emphasize the importance of student data privacy. You can achieve this by providing clear data privacy and security policies and regular data privacy training.
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You will also need to:
Dig deeper: Upcoming laws governing the online safety of minors may impact schools.
2. Implement a comprehensive strategy to regulate banned apps
Educational institutions can use a variety of methods to effectively review and regulate software applications. By implementing a comprehensive app management strategy, schools can monitor the apps being used on student devices and ensure compliance with data privacy and security policies.
This includes investing in a mobile device management system, creating a list of approved and prohibited apps, creating clear policies regarding downloads to school devices, and conducting regular audits of school devices. This may include sharing app guidelines with parents.
Schools will find it essential to invest in a mobile device management system to track app installs, manage apps remotely, and enforce app usage policies.
It’s also important for schools to establish and communicate clear policies regarding downloading and installing apps on school devices. You can then create a list of approved and banned apps and share that information with parents so they can guide their use of the apps at home. IT staff should also back up these policies by regularly auditing school devices to identify unauthorized apps.
explore: How to communicate student data privacy to families.
3. Here’s how to vet apps to better protect student data privacy
According to the school’s screening policy, minimum Amount of data required. Choose apps with consent mechanisms that are easy to understand for all users.
Ensure your software provider maintains comprehensive records of data processing activities, data privacy impact assessments, and consent forms. Make sure your software provider promises regular updates that address security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns. Schools should also consider apps with continuous monitoring tools to detect and respond to data privacy breaches in real time.
Source: LearnPlatform, “EdTech Top 40: Fall 2022 Report”, September 2022
4. Schools need technical guidance in app approval process
A number of technical directives simplify the evaluation and integration of new educational apps. Incorporating technical instructions into the app evaluation and deployment process streamlines application selection and ensures that technical and educational requirements are met while minimizing potential challenges.
The directive also allows you to verify that apps are compatible with school devices, software, and operating systems while complying with federal data privacy regulations such as FERPA and COPPA.
Schools should also choose apps with intuitive interfaces to shorten the learning curve for teachers and students. Consider apps that provide feedback mechanisms for users to report issues or request assistance.
Related: Learn about the widely used data privacy agreements that started in Massachusetts.
5. Get additional student data privacy guidance
Edtech leaders may seem to work in isolation, but they don’t have to go it alone. The following resources can go a long way in supporting your student data privacy efforts.
of School networking consortium The Student Data Privacy Toolkit provides guidelines on how to create and improve your student data privacy program.
of US Department of Education The Privacy Technical Assistance Center provides guidance on student data privacy laws and best practices.
common sense media provides privacy reviews to help districts and schools make informed decisions about the safety and privacy of their students’ digital tools.
of Student Data Privacy Consortium is a repository of student data privacy resources and provides a national research data privacy agreement to streamline vendor agreements and address common concerns.
of Student Privacy Pledge It is a joint effort of common sense media And that Future of Privacy Forum Encourage edtech companies to protect student data. Those who sign the pledge commit to not selling student data, being transparent, and ensuring robust data security.