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So, schools back in session, you packed the lunchbox, charged the Chromebook, and maybe even shed a tear at drop-off. But here's something that didn't make it into the parent orientation packet.

Your kid might be under surveillance constantly.

And not just by their teachers.

Whether or not you have kids in school, you'll want to hear this.

A new study from UC San Diego just pulled back the curtain on those student safety tools

that schools use.

You've probably heard of them. Go Guardian,

bark, gaggle, securely, light speed. These systems are designed to stop bullying, flag mental health

concerns, and maybe even prevent school shootings. But here's the twist. They're not just keeping

an eye on things during class hours. About 86% of the companies that make

these tools are monitoring students around the clock, not just during the school day and not just

on school-issued devices. They're tracking every Google search, every message, and sometimes

even activity at home on personal phones and laptops. Some of these systems give students a risk score based on what they type or search,

and nearly 71% of them rely on artificial intelligence to decide whether a student is a potential threat or a need of intervention.

Think about that for a second. Your kid could type something emotional

in a message they never even send. That draft alone could be flagged and stored in a database.

That's not just unsettling. That's invasive. And yes, they are watching at home too. Roughly

36% of these companies monitor student-owned devices. All it takes is one school-required app or

...