Rising anxiety over the amount of screen time children experience during school hours has ignited a fresh wave of scrutiny—this time aimed at the process used to approve educational software. While many parents and educators have spent years campaigning against smartphones in classrooms, the district-issued laptops and accompanying software have largely escaped criticism. But that is starting to change as concerns shift from personal devices to school-issued technology.
The Shift from Personal Devices to School-Issued Tech
Kim Whitman, co-lead of Smartphone Free Childhood US, told EdSurge that blocking cellphones in schools often leads students to simply turn to their Chromebooks or messaging tools like Google Docs to stay connected. There are definitely issues with school-issued devices as well,
she warned. This realization has pushed a growing number of parents and teachers to question the safety, effectiveness, and legal compliance of the software that districts purchase—and whether it is being properly vetted before reaching students.
Current Vetting Processes Under Fire
Currently, most school districts rely on school boards, IT personnel, and administrators to select education technology vendors. These decision-makers often depend on the vendors' own claims about product safety and effectiveness. Whitman called this system inadequate, stating, There is nobody right now that is confirming these products are safe, effective and legal. It should not fall on the district’s IT director; it would be impossible for them to do it. And the companies should not be tasked with doing it—that would be like nicotine companies vetting their own cigarettes.
This gap in oversight has spurred legislative action in three states: Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. Each is proposing bills to establish a formal vetting process for educational technology products, requiring independent review before software can be used in classrooms.
Legislative Responses in Three States
Vermont's Bill: A Model for Certification
Vermont has moved furthest among the three. The bill, titled An act relating to educational technology products, passed the House on March 27 and is now before the Senate Committee on Education. It requires all providers of educational technology products—specifically student-facing tools used for teaching and learning—to register annually with the state. Providers must pay a $100 fee and submit their most recent terms and conditions and privacy policies. The Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Education, will review each registration.
The bill establishes certification criteria that include:
- Compliance with state curriculum standards
- Advantages of using the digital product compared to non-digital methods
- Whether the product was explicitly designed for educational purposes
- Design features, including the use of artificial intelligence, geotracking, and targeted advertising
An earlier version of the bill would have fined non-certified providers up to $50 per day, to a maximum of $10,000, but that language was removed before the House vote. If the Senate passes the bill, it will go into effect, establishing a precedent for other states.
Rhode Island and Utah
While less detailed in public reports, Rhode Island and Utah have also introduced proposals aimed at improving the vetting of edtech products. All three states share the goal of shifting the burden of proof from overworked district IT staff and vendors to an independent, state-level process. The legislation signals a growing recognition that classroom technology must be held to higher standards—just as many parents and teachers have long demanded for personal devices.
As these bills move forward, they may serve as templates for other states grappling with the same issues. The debate over screen time in schools is evolving from a fight against smartphones to a broader conversation about the role of all digital tools in children’s education—and the need for rigorous oversight to protect students’ privacy, learning, and well-being.