Education technology (EdTech) is transforming American classrooms. From whiteboards and laptops to online content delivery and artificial intelligence (AI), schools integrate this innovative technology throughout K-12 classrooms.
As the use of technology expands, so do concerns about the appropriate use of school technology by students. Schools and parents want to protect students from online threats while leveraging technology to improve learning.
For many children, access to the internet and online resources can be disruptive to their education. In response, schools develop and implement complex acceptable use technology policies that define the proper use of school technology. The EdTech sector has created AI-driven safety and management applications, such as GoGuardian, to aid teachers and administrators in enforcement.
GoGuardian allows schools and teachers to monitor student screens, remotely control content access, and implement app-based strategies to improve student focus. The AI-driven technology intends to keep students on task and prevent them from visiting inappropriate websites or aimlessly scrolling instead of completing schoolwork. With expanding access to online resources and new rules surrounding appropriate use, students may misstep. Platforms such as GoGuardian will be used to identify their violations. Because of AI's challenges and imperfections, some students will be incorrectly targeted for violating their schools' policies.
At the Lento Law Firm, we defend students facing unfair or extreme discipline. If your primary or secondary student is accused of violating their school's technology or conduct policies, we can help. Let our experienced attorneys challenge any allegation made against your child. To partner with our Student Defense Team, contact our offices at 888-535-3686 or complete an online consultation form.
AI Errors Create Student Discipline Problems
Even with the best intentions, AI-based student monitoring software such as GoGuardian is imperfect. Such platforms may be able to review the online actions of hundreds of students simultaneously; however, there remain serious questions about how AI flags any specific student's technology use.
Students may be erroneously identified as violating school policy without engaging in any questionable behavior or activity. AI algorithms may conclude that innocuous images are explicit or problematic. Keywords that trigger GoGuardian alerts may have benign meanings or educational relevance. In response, schools must create a robust review policy to ensure that students are disciplined for actual violations.
Additionally, every classroom includes students with multiple learning styles, skill sets, and abilities. AI tools may not be designed or assessed to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Students using technology to the best of their abilities may be flagged for misuse when no actual violation has occurred.
Teachers, technology directors, or administrators should review any student activity identified as problematic to determine if the image, post, or website violates school policy. The review process should also include safeguards. Every individual possesses their own inherent personal and political biases. The evaluation of a student's technology usage must be free of racial, political, religious, or other prejudice.
Parents want their children to be safe at school and when accessing information online. Schools must understand that student wellness may be jeopardized by accessing dangerous or problematic content online or inappropriately disciplining students by over-relying on AI monitoring applications such as GoGuardian.
Protect Your Child if They Are Accused of Violating Student Conduct or Technology Policies
If a school or teacher has accused your child of violating a student conduct or technology policy, it can be easy to become angry and frustrated. You may be unsure of how to navigate the student discipline process.
As a parent focused on protecting your child, you can take quick steps to refute any allegation in a deliberate and organized manner, including contacting the Lento Law Firm. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the student disciplinary process.
The consequences of being improperly targeted by AI software can be devastating for a child. Students, embarrassed by the accusation made against them, may withdraw from friends and disregard schoolwork. Their upset over possible punishments and the impact of the disciplinary action on their school enrollment, job prospects, and college plans may create additional stress.
When your child faces a misconduct accusation, the stakes are high, and the consequences can be far-reaching. Let the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team partner with you to protect your child and their best interests.
Your Student is Our Priority
If your child may be subject to a disciplinary investigation because GoGuardian or another application flagged their computer usage, you must take swift steps to defend them. The Lento Law Firm's experienced attorneys can help by:
- Analyzing the allegations made against your student and identifying possible defenses and mitigation strategies.
- Requesting access to any detection alerts or reports created by GoGuardian or other AI platforms that led to the accusation of a violation.
- Initiating our own investigation to identify exonerating evidence.
- Engaging AI forensic consultants to examine and testify about the proper and improper use of AI-monitoring systems, such as GoGuardian. An expert on AI platforms may provide valuable information about the common problems and weaknesses of these products.
- Participating in informal communication with school and district officials to discuss a voluntary resolution of the allegations.
- Representing your child during any formal disciplinary procedures.
- Preparing you and your child for any disciplinary investigation or hearing.
- Pursuing additional opportunities to resolve the matter with school district officials and the general counsel's office.
If necessary, our experienced student defense attorneys can appeal any adverse decision made against your child or litigate in court to protect the rights and future of your student. We are committed to your student and their best interests.
The Lento Law Firm Can Help
EdTech and AI technology, such as GoGuardian, may hold great promise for improving education, fostering a love of learning, and protecting students. For now, these platforms remain imperfect. Additionally, schools may struggle to properly and fairly implement these resources. Students who are inaccurately identified as violators pay the price for these growing pains.
The Lento Law Firm fights on behalf of students accused of violating technology policies and other student conduct policies. To discuss your case, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or through our online consultation form.
