Parents Sue Lower Merion Schools Over New School-Issued Tech Policies

ARDMORE, PA — Seven families in the Lower Merion School District have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the school system's new mandates for student use of school-issued, internet-connected devices violate their parental rights while harming children.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, names the Lower Merion School District, Superintendent Dr. Frank Ranelli, and seven School Board members who voted in favor of the new policies as defendants.

The issue, which has created months of uproar at Lower Merion School Board meetings, pertains to devices such as laptops and iPads being issued to students for homework and classwork.

In June, the Board voted 7-2 to no longer allow parents to opt their children out of using these devices. The same members passed new regulations this month for student tech use, including grade-level restrictions.

The lawsuit was brought by parents in seven local families — four with children who attend Lower Merion schools. Three of the plaintiffs say they've placed their children in private schools because of the District's approach to technology.

The parents say their children have complained of headaches and eye strain from excessive time in front of a screen, while their handwriting and eyesight have gotten worse.

Meanwhile, students can access harmful online content on the devices, according to the lawsuit.

"Through those devices, students of all ages can and do access online pornography, violent videos, gambling sites, and video games, including one in which the player’s goal is to escape from sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein’s private island," the lawsuit says. "Instead of paying attention in class, students consume an endless stream of short-form videos, browse social media, and shop."

The parents say they are not looking to change the curriculum — they want to be able to opt their children out of school-issued technology that connects to the internet.

This case could have implications outside of Lower Merion Schools, since the lawsuit claims the District is violating the Due Process Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by restricting their rights to decisions regarding their children's health and privacy.

The lawsuit cites multiple U.S. Supreme Court cases regarding this clause and children's education. In Meyer v. Nebraska (1923), the Court struck down a Nebraska law prohibiting schools from teaching world languages. Two years later, the Court struck down an Oregon statute requiring all children to attend public schools in its Pierce v. Society of Sisters ruling.

Andrew Liddell, an attorney working with the plaintiffs, says the parents are effectively seeking an updated application of those rulings for new technology.

"This is not about curriculum," Liddell said. "This is about kids being given free access to the internet, where they can go anywhere and do anything and talk to anyone at any time."

A District spokesperson emailed Patch the following statement:

"The Lower Merion School District is aware of a lawsuit filed by some parents, not all of whom have students enrolled in LMSD schools, alleging the School Board’s decision to repeal a School Board Policy represents a violation of their civil rights.

The District denies the allegations and will respond further through the judicial process."

Here's the complaint.