The Hill – Online educational legislation could strand students
As a parent I want to protect my son. I could try and protect him from the world by hiding him on a proverbial “island” devoid of online connectivity. I would unplug the Internet and take away all the mobile devices. This would isolate him from potential harms. At the same time it would deprive him of all the benefits of a connected education and tools that help him grow. In the end, it’s all about striking the right balance.
Laws protecting students must also seek to strike the same balance between safety and growth – between isolation and discovery. Unfortunately, the Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act (SDPPRA) of 2015 misses this balance. Through overly proscriptive language, SDPPRA retreads existing law while shackling educational innovation.