Private schools ban Meta glasses 'over bullying fears'
Private schools across the United Kingdom are moving to ban Meta's smart glasses, citing concerns that the devices enable bullying and violate student privacy through covert recording capabilities.
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which feature a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording videos up to three minutes in length, have become a focal point for schools grappling with emerging technology in the classroom. The latest generation models record in 3K Ultra HD resolution and include a built-in LED privacy light designed to alert others when recording is active.
Shrewsbury School became the first UK institution to publicly address the issue in November 2025, implementing a comprehensive ban covering pupils, staff, parents and visitors. The school stated the devices could breach UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by capturing images or video without consent and potentially revealing sensitive information.
International movement gains momentum
The British bans form part of a broader international response to smart glasses in educational settings. Multiple US school districts introduced similar prohibitions in August 2026, including Polk County, Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Public Schools in Florida. These districts cited concerns about students photographing, recording audio or video, livestreaming and accessing information without others being aware or consenting.
The College Board, which administers the SAT examination, banned students from wearing smart glasses during tests starting in March 2026, following concerns about cheating enabled by the glasses' ability to access information and transmit what users see to Meta's artificial intelligence.
An investigation by technology publication Futurism in August 2026 documented large numbers of videos recorded at US middle and high schools using Meta smart glasses. The investigation found that every video identified had been captured by teenage boys, with their behaviour overwhelmingly directed at girls, often without the subjects' knowledge or consent.
Regulatory context
The smart glasses bans arrive as UK schools operate under new statutory requirements for mobile phone restrictions. The government made mobile phone bans in schools statutory on 29 June 2026 under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, with schools required to follow the guidance from 1 September 2026. Ofsted inspections now monitor compliance with phone policies.
The move follows earlier technology restrictions at prominent institutions. Eton College announced in 2024 that new students starting in September would not be allowed smartphones, instead receiving basic Nokia phones capable only of calls and text messages, alongside school-issued iPads for academic work.
In March 2026, the UK Information Commissioner's Office contacted Meta after Swedish journalists revealed that contractors had been reviewing intimate footage captured through the glasses, including users undressing and using toilets. The ICO described the disclosures as concerning.
Widespread adoption drives school response
According to Meta, millions of people now use its AI glasses, with the company describing the category as one of the fastest-growing consumer products. Over seven million pairs had been sold as of mid-2026, underscoring why educational institutions feel compelled to address the technology urgently.
Implementation of the bans varies across educational levels. UK schools commonly prohibit smart glasses entirely, while colleges and universities may permit them in communal areas but restrict use during teaching, examinations or pastoral activities. The devices can be fitted with prescription lenses, and institutions may accommodate students with vision correction needs whilst limiting recording functionality.
The restrictions reflect growing concern among educators about technology that enables recording without clear visual signals, potentially facilitating harassment whilst complicating efforts to maintain safe learning environments for students.
