Digital technologies have become common fixtures in K–12 schools and the classroom. On a regular basis, students interact with educational technologies—e.g., devices, videoconferencing platforms, and learning management systems. These educational technologies (edtech) can serve as valuable pedagogical tools for creating flexibility, encouraging engagement, and supporting accessibility. At the same time, the networked nature of these technologies along with their ability to collect swaths of student data have surfaced concerns around data and privacy in schools. Policymakers continue to work toward implementing stronger data protection laws and governing the data-oriented platform companies that supply schools with educational technologies. With the novel 2019 coronavirus, mainstream media too has become increasingly focused on the problem of student data collection, use, and management and education technologies.
This guide first provides news articles and podcasts that delve deeper into the issue. It then points to lesson plans and other teaching resources for educators interested in joining the conversation on data and privacy in the classroom and building students’ media and data literacy skills.
Privacy Rights of Children and Teens
Privacy Pursuit! Games and Activities for Children
AI + Data Privacy Activities for K-9 Students
Durrani, Temur, and Caroline Alphonso. 2022. “Technology Used by Educators in Abrupt Switch to Online School Shared Kids’ Personal Information, Investigation Shows.” The Globe and Mail, May 24, 2022.
Ghosh, Dipayan, and Jim Steyer. 2018. “Opinion | Kids Shouldn’t Have to Sacrifice Privacy for Education.” The New York Times, December 13, 2018, sec. Opinion.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. 2019. “A Guide to Privacy and Access to Information in Ontario Schools.” IPC. 2019.
Morrison, Sara. 2020. “Google’s Education Tech Has a Privacy Problem.” Vox. February 21, 2020.
Steinberg, Stacey. 2021. “Perspective | Schools and Other Organizations Are Sharing More about Kids Online. Here’s What Parents Can Do to Protect Them.” Washington Post, May 18, 2021.
The Critical Technology Podcasts—Sara Grimes (Director of the Knowledge Media Design Institute)
Cyberwise Chats—Diana Graber (Cyberwise) and Dr. Pamela Rutledge (Director of the Media Psychology Research Center)
The Privacy Advisor—Marc Groman (International Association of Privacy Professionals)
University of Toronto Libraries
130 St. George St.,Toronto, ON, M5S 1A5
libraryhelp@utoronto.ca
416-978-8450
Map
About web accessibility. Tell us about a web accessibility problem.
About online privacy and data collection.
© University of Toronto. All rights reserved. Terms and conditions.