Online Privacy

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents kid-targeted websites and apps from collecting data from kids younger than 13 without parental consent. School districts are required to ensure that agreements with vendors adhere to COPPA rules and risk loss of Federal funding if due diligence is not followed. When entering into agreements with companies, contracts must state that schools/students own the data regardless of its location. However, these rules do not apply as strictly to free apps and websites that students may use at home or on their own time. Here are a few resources to assist in understanding online privacy. Many companies have joined the Student Privacy Pledge in order to assure parents and educators that they take our students privacy seriously.

FAQs (from CommonSense Education)

How do I protect my kid's privacy online?

How can I make sure my kid isn't sharing too much information on Facebook or other social media sites?

How can I make sure my kid's privacy is protected with the all the digital tools being used in the classroom?

Resources

Family Tip Sheet from CommonSense Education

Student Privacy Pledge

Farmington Public Schools Web Privacy Policy

CT State Law about Student Data Privacy

In October 2016, the CT PA16-189 went into effect requiring districts to inform parents when of any new contract entered into where student data, information, or content is shared. The law sets process, procedure, and regulations around notification of data breaches.

For more information about the applications in use in Farmington Public Schools, click on the link below:

http://www.fpsct.org/departments/technology-services/student-data-privacy