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Written question asked by Baroness Barran (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 20 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Education: Digital Technology

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what process they use to verify the safety, privacy, and educational value of educational technology products being used in schools in England.

Answer

The department supports schools to make informed decisions through published digital and technology standards, guidance on data protection, cyber security, filtering and monitoring, and advice on buying technology and services. These set clear expectations for safe, secure and effective use of technology in schools and colleges.

The department will shortly consult on a certification scheme for education technology products, including generative AI and filtering and monitoring products, to give schools clearer assurance about safety when considering products for use in classrooms. The certification scheme will build on existing digital and technology standards for schools, including the generative AI product safety standards, creating a robust model that can adapt as technology evolves.

To support schools further, the department is also investing £24 million in testbeds to evaluate the impact of education technology on outcomes, helping build the evidence base on what works for schools.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2123
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Education Data protection Digital technology Safety
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk