Overview
At Outschool, we prioritize our learners' safety and privacy, and we know that our educators share this commitment. Online platforms for children under 13, like Outschool, must inform parents about the data we collect from their learners, how that data is used, and how parents can access or delete it. Providing accurate information is critical so that parents can make informed decisions about their children's online interactions. To ensure compliance with legal requirements like COPPA, our class approval process carefully considers learners' privacy rights when determining the appropriateness of third-party teaching tools, including websites and learning management systems.
We build safety and security into our learners’ experiences to protect their data while fostering strong communities at Outschool. Transparency is key, and educators must clearly indicate in their class descriptions any third-party resources they plan to use, especially for learners under 13. This allows parents to assess whether they want their children to access these websites and provide the necessary consent. We've refined our processes to help educators choose enriching and approved resources for their classes, ensuring that our platform remains a safe and trusted space for young learners.
Policies for Using Third-Party Tools
When using external websites or LMS platforms that learners will visit, you must list them in the External Resources section of your class listing so families can make informed decisions about third-party data use. Below is a list of tools we’ve identified as compliant (safe for learners under 13) or non-compliant (prohibited for learners under 13).
All tools listed in the External Resources section will be highlighted to families upon enrollment, giving parents time to provide consent before class starts. For tools not on our compliant or non-compliant lists, educators must review the resource’s privacy policy, ensure COPPA compliance, and take necessary steps to protect learners. As always with any third-party tools and off-platform communication, safety is paramount; instructors should adhere to privacy standards and protect boundaries in not sharing Personal Information (PI).
If you have suggestions for third-party services you’d like us to review, please fill out this form.
Reviewed Third-Party Tools
Non-compliant resources are only prohibited if you're directing learners to these external websites. You can use materials like Vimeo in your classroom presentations and lectures as long as you don't provide links or allow learners under 13 to access these sites directly.
Compliant | Non-Compliant |
ABCya! | Amazon |
BBC | ChatGPT |
Boom Learning | DLTK |
Book Creator | Dropbox |
Canva | |
Canvas | Flippity |
ChessKid | Github |
CK12 Flexbooks | Gutenberg |
CodeHS | Hands Up Education |
Code.org | Home with Hollie |
Connected Camps | Learn Piano Live |
Desmos Classroom | |
dnd.wizards.com | PurposeGames |
Duolingo | Quantum Physics for Kids |
Editorp5js | Quia |
Edpuzzle | Rockalingua |
Flipgrid | Roll 20 |
Gimkit | Sentencebuilders.com |
Wikipedia | Screencast-O-Matic |
Google Jamboard | Smore.com |
Google Suite (drive, docs, forms) | Soundtrap |
IXL Learning | Super Coloring |
Kahoot | Tasks for Canvas |
Khan Academy | Textivate |
Lichess.org (anonymous play only) | Trade on Target |
Loom | Typing.com |
Math Playground | VideoLink |
Minecraft | Vimeo (impermissible for under 16) |
Music Will | Viewpure |
Musictheory.net (anonymous play only) | Wordwall |
Nearpod |
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Padlet |
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Pear Deck |
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Quizizz |
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Quizlet |
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Replit (anonymous play only) |
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Roblox |
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Schoology |
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Scratch |
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Smithsonian Magazine |
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Spelling City |
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SplashLearn |
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Teachers Pay Teachers |
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YouTube (only if embedded in the Outschool classroom)* |
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*While YouTube isn’t intended for children under 13, Outschool allows educators to use YouTube videos in a compliant way by embedding links directly into the classroom.
How to Add a Resource to Your Outschool Class
Once you've met the requirements, disclose the resources you’ll use when setting up your class listing by adding each one separately.