Session Title: EdTech & Children’s Privacy: Who's Watching Our Kids?
Background & Context:
The integration of educational technology (EdTech) into learning environments has accelerated, offering transformative opportunities for students across Africa and beyond. However, as digital learning platforms become more prevalent, concerns about children’s data privacy, security, and digital well-being have intensified. EdTech platforms often collect vast amounts of personal data, raising serious concerns about consent, surveillance, data ownership, and commercial exploitation.
While regulatory frameworks such as the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, GDPR, and national data protection laws exist, enforcement and compliance in the context of children’s privacy remain inconsistent. Schools, parents, policymakers, and technology providers must collaborate to create a safe and ethical digital learning space for children.
This panel will explore the growing intersection of EdTech, children’s privacy, and regulatory responses. Experts will provide insights into best practices, the role of governance in protecting minors, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding data collection in educational settings.
RATIONALE FOR THE PANEL
With the rapid expansion of EdTech in Africa, there is an urgent need to address the risks associated with data collection on minors, ensuring children’s rights to privacy are safeguarded. The session is structured to:
- Examine how EdTech platforms collect, store, and use children’s data.
- Highlight the vulnerabilities and risks associated with digital learning.
- Discuss national and international legal frameworks protecting children’s privacy.
- Explore the role of policymakers, educators, and parents in mitigating risks.
- Propose actionable solutions to enhance digital safety in learning environments.
By gathering privacy experts, child protection advocates, policymakers, and EdTech providers, this discussion aims to drive policy recommendations and ethical approaches to handling children’s data in the digital learning space.