Saint Paul Group Urges School District to Block YouTube and Gemini AI

October 19, 2026 - 23:33

A coalition of more than a dozen organizations has sent an open letter to school districts, district leaders, and school boards across the country, calling for tighter controls on classroom technology. The letter was delivered to leadership at the 150 largest public school systems in the United States, pressing them to reconsider the tools students and teachers use every day.

At the center of the campaign is Intentional Technology Saint Paul, a local advocacy group that wants Saint Paul Public Schools to disable access to YouTube and Gemini AI on district devices. The organization argues that both platforms raise concerns about student privacy, data collection, and the amount of time children spend on screens during the school day.

The letter asks district officials to review how these services are used in classrooms and to weigh whether the benefits justify the risks. Supporters say the push is not about rejecting technology outright but about making deliberate choices that put student well-being first. They want families to have a clearer picture of what data is gathered and how it is handled.

The coalition is encouraging school boards to open the conversation publicly and to involve parents and teachers before renewing or expanding contracts with technology providers. District leaders have not yet responded to the request.