School Software Under Fire: New State Laws Target Edtech Vetting Amid Screen Time Backlash

Three States Move to Regulate Edtech Tools as Screen Time Worries Escalate

In a significant shift from the battle over cellphones in classrooms, a growing coalition of parents and teachers is now demanding stricter oversight of school-issued laptops and the software they run. Lawmakers in Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont have introduced legislation this year to overhaul how educational technology products are vetted, responding to concerns that current practices leave districts relying on vendors' self-reported data.

"There is nobody right now that is confirming these products are safe, effective and legal," said Kim Whitman, co-lead of Smartphone Free Childhood US, in a previous interview. "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."

Background: From Cellphones to Chromebooks

For years, activists have focused on banning personal devices like smartphones in schools, citing distractions, bullying, and mental health impacts. But Whitman and others argue that school-issued devices — often Chromebooks loaded with messaging apps and collaborative tools like Google Docs — pose similar risks. "A lot of the issues with personal devices can move to the district-issued devices," she noted. "There are definitely issues with school-issued devices as well."

This concern has now reached state legislatures. The proposed bills aim to create independent certification processes for student-facing software, moving beyond the current system where school boards, IT personnel, and administrators often accept vendor claims at face value.

Key Legislation: Vermont Leads the Way

Among the three states, Vermont's bill — An act relating to educational technology products — is the most advanced. Passed by the House on March 27, it now sits before the Senate Committee on Education. The bill would require providers of educational technology products to register annually with the secretary of state, pay a $100 fee, and submit current terms of service and privacy policies. The secretary would work with the Vermont Agency of Education to review applications and issue certifications.

Certification criteria include compliance with state curriculum standards, advantages over non-digital methods, educational design intent, and scrutiny of features like artificial intelligence, geotracking, and targeted advertising. Initially, the bill included fines of $50 per day up to $10,000 for non-compliance, but that penalty language was removed before the House vote. If the Senate passes the bill, it would create one of the first state-level edtech certification programs in the nation.

Rhode Island and Utah: Parallel Efforts

Although fewer details are available on the proposals in Rhode Island and Utah, both states introduced similar measures at the start of the 2025 legislative session. The common goal is to establish a transparent, independent review process that reduces reliance on vendor-supplied data and addresses growing alarm over screen time and data privacy in schools.

What This Means

If enacted, these laws could reshape the $50 billion edtech market. Schools would gain a clearer picture of which tools meet safety, privacy, and educational standards, while vendors would face new compliance costs and potential loss of access to districts that refuse uncertified products. Parents and teachers — many of whom have fought for years against screen overload — would see a formal check on the software their children use daily.

However, critics warn that state-level regulation could fragment the market and burden small developers. The Vermont bill's removal of financial penalties also raises questions about enforcement. "This is a necessary first step, but without teeth, it may not change behavior," said one education policy analyst who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of ongoing negotiations.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates on the Senate votes in Vermont and the progress of bills in Rhode Island and Utah.