New Legislative Push Targets Edtech Vetting Amid Screen Time Anxiety
State Bills Demand Independent Review of School Software as Screen-Time Concerns Expand
A growing coalition of parents and teachers is turning its scrutiny from smartphones to school-issued laptops and the software that runs on them. The vetting process for educational technology—often left to vendors themselves—has become the latest flashpoint in the debate over children's screen time. Proposals in Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont now seek to force states to independently certify that edtech products are safe, effective, and legally compliant before they enter classrooms.
“A lot of the issues with personal devices can move to the district-issued devices,” said Kim Whitman, co-lead for Smartphone Free Childhood US. “There are definitely issues with school-issued devices as well.” She noted that even when cellphones are banned, students can still message friends on Chromebooks or through collaborative tools like Google Docs. The proposed laws aim to fill a regulatory void: no third party currently verifies vendor claims about product safety or data privacy.
Vermont Bill Advances; Similar Measures in Rhode Island and Utah
The Vermont bill—titled “An act relating to educational technology products”—passed the state House on March 27 and now awaits Senate action. It would require every provider of student-facing edtech tools to register annually with the secretary of state, pay a $100 fee, and submit current terms of service and privacy policies. The secretary of state, in consultation with the Vermont Agency of Education, would then evaluate each product against a certification standard covering:
- Compliance with state curriculum standards
- Advantages over non-digital alternatives
- Explicit educational purpose in design
- Features including artificial intelligence, geotracking, and targeted advertising
An earlier penalty clause—$50 per day fines up to $10,000 for uncertified providers still operating—was removed from the final House version. Similar measures are being drafted or debated in Rhode Island and Utah, though Vermont’s bill is the furthest along. If enacted, it would create one of the first state-run certification systems for edtech in the nation.
Background: How School Software Gets (or Doesn't Get) Vetted
Currently, most school districts rely on IT directors, administrators, or school boards to choose software vendors. Those vendors often use their own internal data to prove a product is safe and effective. “There is nobody right now that is confirming these products are safe, effective and legal,” Whitman said. “It should not fall on the district’s IT director; it would be impossible for them to do it. And the companies should not be tasked with doing it — that would be like nicotine companies vetting their own cigarettes.”
The lack of independent oversight has fueled a broader “screen time” backlash. For years, parent groups have fought to remove smartphones from classrooms, but district-issued devices were largely spared. The new legislative push signals that the scrutiny is expanding. Experts say the shift reflects a deeper anxiety about digital dependency. “We’re past the point where we can simply trust vendors to self-report,” said one education policy analyst who asked not to be named due to ongoing legislative negotiations.
What This Means for Schools, Vendors, and Students
If any of these state bills become law, districts would have to phase out unregistered edtech tools, forcing a rapid audit of classroom software. Companies that fail to register or meet certification standards could face business losses unless they adapt. For students and parents, the changes promise more transparency about data use and privacy, but also the potential for fewer digital learning options if small providers cannot afford the registration or compliance costs.
Proponents argue that the long-term benefit outweighs the short-term disruption. “We need to ensure every digital tool used in schools is actually good for kids — not just endorsed by a company’s marketing department,” Whitman said. Opponents, including some tech industry groups, warn that state-run certification could slow innovation and create a patchwork of standards across states. The legislative session in Vermont continues; similar debates are expected in Rhode Island and Utah later this spring.
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