Private schools are banning pupils from wearing Meta’s smart glasses over concerns that the devices could be used to secretly record people and facilitate bullying.
A growing number of private, boarding and grammar schools have introduced restrictions on the camera-equipped glasses, joining a wider list of venues and organisations limiting their use.
Designed to resemble ordinary sunglasses or spectacles, the glasses allow users to take photographs and videos, prompting concerns about privacy and the potential for discreet recording.
“Smart glasses can share content instantly and can pose risks to pupils, staff and visitors.”
Haberdashers’ Boys’ School in Hertfordshire, founded in 1690, has informed parents that smart glasses will be prohibited on school grounds under a policy being introduced in the new academic year.
Woodbridge School in Suffolk introduced a ban in July, while Shrewsbury School in Shropshire, which dates back around 475 years, told parents in November that pupils should not wear the devices.
The schools said their policies were driven primarily by concerns over privacy and child safety.
Shrewsbury teachers told parents: “While these developments are exciting, they also raise important questions about privacy and safety in a school environment. Smart glasses can discreetly record, livestream or share content instantly and therefore can pose risks to pupils, staff and visitors.”
Woodbridge School has also updated its mobile phone policy to state that smart glasses cannot be used on school grounds by students, parents, visitors or staff.
Meta’s smart glasses, produced through its partnership with Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica, have proved increasingly popular, with seven million pairs reportedly sold last year.
The glasses allow users to capture photos and videos either by pressing a button or using voice commands. While a light indicates when the camera is recording, some users have covered the indicator, raising concerns that people could be filmed without their knowledge.
The University of Glasgow has separately banned students from taking the glasses into examinations. The devices feature an integrated assistant capable of answering questions, creating concerns about their potential use for cheating.
Videos recorded with the glasses and shared online have also sparked concerns about bullying. A review by technology website Futurism found numerous videos filmed in US schools that appeared to involve the harassment or bullying of pupils.
“Smart glasses will not be permitted on school grounds by students, parents or staff.”
Instagram, which is owned by Meta, has also taken action against accounts suspected of using the glasses to secretly record or harass people.
The schools are part of a growing number of organisations restricting the devices. Pub chain Wetherspoons has banned smart glasses, while they are also prohibited in English courts and at a number of theatres and gyms.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has contacted Meta following reports that contractors working for the company in Kenya had viewed recordings made by people wearing the glasses while they were using the toilet or getting dressed.
Other technology companies are expected to launch their own camera-equipped wearable devices as they seek to capitalise on the popularity of Meta’s glasses. Apple is reportedly developing both camera-equipped AirPods and smart glasses.
Meta was contacted for comment.