Privacy and Paternalism: The Ethics of Student Data Collection

Educational software is pervasive in contemporary high school classrooms, yet many students are unaware that learning platforms monitor their activities, reporting concerning documents and messages to school administrators and law enforcement. The scope of student data collection and analysis raises challenges for existing privacy laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Developing new privacy policies for student data would require addressing fundamental philosophical questions about the autonomy and rights of children.