Florida Adopts New Rules Requiring Parental Consent for AI in Schools

West Palm Beach Fort Pierce, FL, September 17, 2026 —

Florida public and charter schools will soon require parental consent before students can interact with artificial intelligence (AI) instructional tools under new regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. The rules establish an opt-in system, meaning parents must actively grant permission for their children to use AI-based educational software.

Schools operating under these new guidelines will be obligated to provide AI-free alternatives for students whose parents choose not to allow their participation in AI-driven learning activities. This ensures that students without parental consent can still receive instruction without exposure to AI tools.

Beyond the consent requirement, the regulations introduce several specific prohibitions concerning the use of AI in classrooms. AI chatbots designed to simulate friendship are explicitly forbidden. Furthermore, the rules prohibit the undisclosed psychological profiling of students through AI technologies. A significant provision also restricts vendors from selling student data, aiming to enhance privacy protections for young learners.

The State Board of Education’s approval marks a significant step in addressing the integration of AI in educational settings, focusing on parental rights and student data security. The implementation deadline for these comprehensive rules is set for July 1, 2027. Specific details regarding the types of AI tools that will be subject to these regulations or the exact methods for providing AI-free alternatives were not detailed in the summary provided.

The adoption of these rules reflects a growing awareness among state education bodies regarding the potential implications of AI technologies in schools, including issues of privacy, consent, and the nature of student-AI interactions.

Story summarized from the original created by Forrest Saunders on www.wptv.com, see more information here.