Educational technology implementation and oversight concerns

The integration of educational technology (EdTech) in classrooms has prompted scrutiny regarding research quality, parental trust, and data privacy.

A review by the Digital Futures for Children Centre found significant evidence gaps in EdTech research, noting that most studies focus on academic attainment and are heavily weighted toward Chinese studies. The report highlighted that fewer than 1% of studies involve UK schools and that few address critical areas such as special educational needs, gender, or socio-economic factors. In the United States, school leaders are working to address growing parental skepticism through transparent communication and policy reviews.

Further concerns have emerged regarding children's data privacy and governance. Investigations, including those by Human Rights Watch, suggest that some EdTech products may facilitate data sharing with third parties for advertising purposes. Major platforms, such as Google, have faced regulatory scrutiny in the United States and several European nations, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, regarding their data practices.