Why Privacy Matters in Schools

Case Study

Privacy is essential for students to grow, learn and thrive. Especially for children, Schools should be spaces where young people feel safe to explore ideas, make mistakes and develop into their own unique selves. But when surveillance creeps into classrooms and digital learning platforms, it threatens that freedom.

Children need room to learn, not just academically, but socially and emotionally. Privacyhelps create a safe environment where students can ask questions, express themselves and navigate the world without constant oversight. When surveillance is omnipresent through cameras, monitoring software or data collection, it can stifle curiosity and create an atmosphere of fear or self-censorship.

Furthermore, privacy in schools is a matter of trust. Excessive monitoring undermines students’ trust in the very institutions meant to protect and nurture them. When students feel watched rather than supported, it damages their sense of safety and belonging, two things that are vital for any educational environment.

Schools should empower children, not control them.

Protecting students’ privacy means giving them the space to grow with confidence, dignity, and trust.

Privacy matters.

PI Work: Securitising education