CoSN 2026: When Legislators Talk ‘Safety,’ Schools Hear ‘Restriction’

Why It Matters

Legislative overreach threatens both educational access and the viability of smaller ed‑tech providers, making proactive district advocacy essential for preserving balanced, secure learning environments.

Key Takeaways

• Legislators conflate online safety with privacy, risking over‑restriction.
• KOSA may block lawful content under safety pretext.
• Small vendors face compliance costs that threaten market viability.
• Schools must balance transparency, parent involvement, and vendor partnerships.
• Proposed screen‑time caps could force drastic curriculum redesigns.

Summary

The CoSN 2026 session warned that new state bills are blurring the line between online safety and student privacy, prompting lawmakers to draft regulations that could unintentionally limit lawful digital content for K‑12 learners.

Speakers highlighted KOSA’s language, which may restrict access to educational resources, and Kappa’s focus on parental gatekeeping, while noting that age‑verification requirements force schools to collect more personal data—raising privacy and security concerns. Small and mid‑size ed‑tech vendors, unlike industry giants, risk being priced out by compliance burdens, potentially shrinking market competition.

A recurring theme was the need for a three‑pillar approach: privacy, security, and safety must move together. One speaker emphasized, “Privacy, security and safety have to go hand in hand; otherwise none work,” and cited looming screen‑time caps that could overhaul classroom instruction.

The takeaway for districts is clear: engage legislators early, maintain transparent communication with parents, and partner only with vendors that demonstrate genuine compliance expertise. Failure to do so could reshape curricula, limit technology use, and expose schools to legal and financial risks.

Original Description

As federal and state lawmakers push nearly 20 bills to protect children online, data privacy expert Linnette Attai warns of unintended consequences for student access and school operations.