Surrey secondary school says it will confiscate smart glasses over privacy concerns

Johnston Heights Secondary School in Surrey says smart glasses will not be allowed at the school, and administrators who see them will confiscate them and call parents or caregivers to arrange pickup.

The school sent a memo to connected families after students raised concerns that people in the school community were considering smart glasses as everyday eyewear. Unverified reports also say some students were already wearing them last year.

The school says the devices raise significant privacy and academic-integrity concerns because they could affect tests and exams, and could take photos or videos without consent or knowledge. There are no provincial laws in B.C., or federal laws in Canada, that ban or regulate Meta glasses in public spaces, but school districts can set their own rules.

Surrey Schools Superintendent and CEO Mark Pearmain said the district's Safe and Caring Schools procedures state that staff and students should not be recorded visually or audibly without prior consent. Digital devices are to be put away during non-class time, including recess and lunch, with exceptions for medical or health needs, translation, accessibility or other student-specific reasons.

The procedures do not specifically address wearable technology, and it is unclear whether Meta glasses are considered a digital device. Pearmain said the expectation against recording applies to all personal digital devices and technologies capable of capturing images, video or sound. He added that some school leaders discourage smart glasses because of risks to student privacy and safety.

The Vancouver School Board referred to its code of conduct, which restricts digital-device use during school hours and on school property but does not specifically mention Meta glasses. Some devices may be used for educational purposes when directed by a classroom educator, though that likely does not apply to Meta glasses.