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Your child’s school day is powered by data—grades, health records, survey answers, device activity, and the dozens of apps woven into homework and instruction. I pull back the curtain on how that data move through districts and vendors, and how a lack of basic policies turns classrooms into soft targets for misuse and cybercrime. From the NYC Illuminate incident to AI-driven tools in everyday learning, I connect the dots so parents can spot real risks and take clear action.

I talk through the expanding role of artificial intelligence, the practical gaps many districts face in staff training and encryption, and how political shifts reduce federal enforcement even when laws stay on the books. You’ll hear how state privacy laws and youth-focused bills aim to help, where they fall short for daily school operations, and why opting out of edtech can undermine personalized instruction if schools don’t plan carefully. Most importantly, I explore equity: low‑income and majority Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities face more ads, more trackers, and fewer disclosures—conditions that feed data brokers and deepen bias.

I frame student data privacy as a civil rights issue with real‑world consequences and share a focused action plan: seven questions to take to your principal or district leaders about app sprawl, data use, survey storage, protections against data brokers, and best practices for vendor oversight. Expect practical language, not jargon, and resources like third‑party certifications that signal stronger privacy hygiene. If you care about how technology can help your child learn without turning them into a data product, this conversation gives you the clarity and confidence to speak up.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with another parent, and leave a review to help more families find these insights. What’s the first question you’ll bring to your school?

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