Thank you to all who have taken the time to share their concerns regarding the use of GoGuardian on district‑issued laptops. We value community engagement, and we take seriously any feedback related to student privacy, digital safety, and the learning environment in Fort Bend ISD.

The district’s use of GoGuardian is rooted in two core responsibilities: ensuring student safety in a digital learning environment and complying with federal law. As a recipient of federal E‑rate funding, FBISD is legally required under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to implement safeguards that block or filter access to harmful or inappropriate online content. Traditional firewall systems alone are no longer sufficient, as students have increasingly found ways to bypass them using VPNs and proxy tools. GoGuardian helps close these gaps by providing device-level filtering and real-time protection that keeps students safe and ensures the district remains compliant with federal mandates.

It is also important to clarify what GoGuardian does not do. The software does not access webcams or microphones, does not record screens, and does not track student location. Teachers can only view the screens of students enrolled in their classes, only during school hours, and only when devices are on an FBISD campus and connected to the district network. These safeguards are in place to ensure that monitoring remains limited, purposeful, and aligned with the district’s Acceptable Use Policy, an agreement reviewed and signed annually by students and parents.

GoGuardian is used only on district‑owned laptops, which are provided exclusively for educational purposes. The district has long monitored network activity on these devices, as required by law, and GoGuardian does not introduce new surveillance capabilities. Instead, it strengthens existing protections and supports teachers in managing digital learning environments more effectively.

We recognize that any tool designed to protect students can also raise questions about privacy and transparency. For that reason, we provide a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on our district website that addresses the concerns raised in this petition, including data privacy, teacher access, monitoring limitations, and how the district oversees the use of this software. We encourage all community members to review the FAQ, which has been shared with parents and secondary students, and is also posted on the district website GoGuardian FAQ:
https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/190120

Your feedback is an important part of our ongoing work to balance safety, legal compliance, and student trust. We remain committed to open communication and welcome continued dialogue as we support a secure and focused learning environment for all students.

For more information, please refer to the district’s GoGuardian FAQ:
https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/190120