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Bill

S 463

An Act regulating screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Velis

Massachusetts bill establishing screen time limits and privacy protections for K-12 student data collected through educational technology and digital platforms.

Accompanied a new draft, see S2549
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Bill Summary · S 463

Legislative bill overview

S 463 proposes regulations on screen time and technology privacy practices for students in early childhood through K-12 education settings in Massachusetts. The bill aims to establish standards for how educational technology is deployed and what data protections apply to student information collected through digital devices and platforms.

Why is this important

Schools increasingly rely on digital learning tools, educational apps, and online platforms that collect substantial student data. Without clear privacy standards and screen time guidelines, students face potential risks including data exploitation, developmental concerns from excessive screen exposure, and inadequate transparency about how their information is used by technology vendors.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools may require significant funding to comply with new privacy standards, audit existing technology contracts, and potentially replace non-compliant systems
  • Screen time thresholds: Defining appropriate limits is contentious—educators argue certain grade levels require digital tools for learning, while child development experts cite concerns about excessive exposure
  • Technology vendor impact: Companies providing educational software may face compliance burdens, potentially reducing product availability or increasing costs passed to schools
  • Parental authority vs. state mandate: Questions about whether state-level regulations should supersede individual school and family decisions about technology use
  • Defining "privacy": Disagreement over what data practices constitute violations and how to balance educational necessity with student protection

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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