Let me begin by stating that this is NOT an anti-EPIC! post. However, in an effort to be more critical about the technology I use in my classroom, especially those that are near and dear to my heart, I decided to take a peek behind the curtain. EPIC! is a wonderful digital library resource that I use in my classroom regularly. There are "over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and learning videos," available on the EPIC! website (Inc, 2022). Through EPIC School, educators have the ability to sign up for a free account with our school email and information. Some of the affordances of EPIC! that I appreciate as a teacher is the accessibility of audiobooks for my students with visual impairments or students that can use extra support with their reading.
All of those positives being said, it is important to take a closer look at the website and it's privacy settings. To do this, I went straight to the source: EPIC!'s Privacy Policy page. On this page, I learned some concerning things regarding what the website will do with personal information. EPIC! collects user information from the adults that sign up such as their name, date of birth, email address, and password. It also collects the information of the students over 13 years old that are signed up, including their names and ages. Payment information is taken when subscriptions or purchases have been made. EPIC! can "share information with [their] trusted third-party service providers who provide services to [them] or on [their] behalf,” (Inc, 2022). They also "may disclose information as [they] believe to be necessary or appropriate,” (Inc, 2022).
Common Sense Media is an excellent source for teachers and families that are intersted critically examining media that our students use. A 65% rating from Common Sense Media suggests that EPIC! has a "good" rating (falling between 61% and 80%) but "does not meet [their] recommendations for privacy and security practices (Common Sense Privacy Evaluation for Epic! - Kids’ Books and Videos, 2022). As educators and guardians of students, it is our job to research the media our kids are using. EPIC! is compliant with COPPA (The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998), but has room for growth in their privacy settings (Inc, 2022). If there is one thing I hope you take away from this post is: be critical. Question your media, tools, and sources. Do your research and communicate your findings.
Resources
Common Sense Privacy Evaluation for Epic! - Kids’ Books and Videos.
https://privacy.commonsense.org/evaluation/Epic---Kids-Books-and-Videos. Accessed
13 July 2022.
Inc, Epic! Creations. ‘Instantly Access over 40,000 of the Best Books & Videos for Kids on
Epic’. Epic - Books for Kids, https://www.getepic.com/. Accessed 12 July 2022.
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