KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Students & Technology

Last updated: August 25, 2025 05:38 pm

Students & Technology

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the rights of K-12 public school students in RI as they relate to technology and social media.

Rules for colleges and private schools will differ. Additionally, public school district policies on these issues can vary greatly between individual districts. More information about these policies can generally be found in your school’s student handbook.

Last Updated: August 2025

The information below should not be taken as legal advice. If you have additional questions, or if you feel your rights have been violated, please contact the ACLU of RI.

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Raising alarm about the lack of privacy for students and their families, the ACLU of Rhode Island today released a report showing that many school districts in the state give themselves the right to remotely spy on students through the use of school-loaned laptop computers. Under so-called “1 to 1” programs, in which a majority of school districts in the state participate, a private vendor provides free laptops or tablet computers for the school year that students can use at home. With this program, however, the ACLU found, students and their families are often required to surrender basic privacy rights.