FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 9, 2026
Contact: Ashwin Verghese, [email protected], 508-263-0289
Teachers and families to protest Google’s AI changes for schools at Google’s Cambridge office on Nov. 11
Massachusetts — Distraction-Free Schools Massachusetts, Fairplay, Massachusetts AI Action Network, Sociedad Latina and Turning Life On are organizing a community protest from 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 11, outside Google’s Cambridge office at 355 Main Street, Cambridge, MA. The grassroots demonstration is a response to the company’s Nov. 3 announcement that Google is making generative AI product changes for PreK-12 schools across the U.S., including turning off its search engine for schools that block Google’s AI products.
“Forcing children to use unproven, potentially harmful technology in schools, over the objections of parents and teachers, is the latest Big Tech tactic to normalize products that put corporate interests ahead of children’s well-being,” said Distraction-Free Schools Co-Founder Deb Schmill. “Google is betting that schools will simply fall in line. With Chromebooks already embedded in classrooms and YouTube widely accessible to students, Google has a built-in pipeline to push these changes on children nationwide.”
“Last week’s strong-arm tactics show that Google doesn’t want to be a partner in education—they want to drive the bus,” said Fairplay Campaign Director David Monahan. “But Google underestimated the intense backlash from students, educators, and advocates, who want to create a culture of learning and engagement in schools. AI undermines education and critical thinking, and it puts students’ safety at risk. Just last week, a lawsuit was filed alleging that Google AI helped a 13-year-old girl plan her suicide on a school-issued device. Despite this, Google still tries to force its AI products on our kids. Schools now know that Google places data collection and profits ahead of students’ well-being. It’s time for schools to stand up to Google’s bullying and turn off its AI products for good.”
On Nov. 3, Google rolled out a new “Guided Learning” generative AI chatbot embedded in Google products most Massachusetts school children use, such as Google Classroom, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and Google Search — effective immediately. The blog post announcing these changes says Google-owned Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search will be turned off for K-12 students until school administrators turn them on. But the “Guided Learning” chatbot can’t be turned on or off separately from the other Google products children and administrators use at school.
About 9 in 10 public schools have a 1-to-1 policy that provides children with a school-issued device, such as a laptop or tablet. Roughly 60,000 K-12 schools use Google Workspace, where teachers and students store their schoolwork and communications, and approximately 93% of U.S. public schools use Google Chromebooks in the classroom in 2026.
The tech industry’s influence in U.S. classrooms spans decades. Technology companies routinely finance national polls and research reports aimed at students; lobby for policies that require schools to teach industry-prioritized subjects; sponsor or fund the National PTA or teachers’ unions; and sit on committees that help shape learning standards for children and young people.
“In the wake of the midterm elections and as we approach America’s 250th anniversary, one thing should be clear: Americans across the political spectrum reject a future dominated by tech oligarchs, mass surveillance and unchecked AI power,” said Sociedad Latina Executive Director Alex Oliver-Davila. “The education system is a perfect example of the big tech manipulation playbook which consistently disregards the well-being of our children and young people. Parents should not have to surrender their children’s civil liberties in publicly funded classrooms to satisfy Big Tech’s corporate agenda. It’s time to stand up to companies like Google and put students’ rights first.”
Distraction-Free Schools Massachusetts, Fairplay, Massachusetts AI Action Network, Sociedad Latina and Turning Life On have hundreds of bipartisan statewide supporters advocating for legislative action to address unfounded and inequitable school district policies on screen time and technology product use in the state. States across the country have introduced, passed, or are planning to introduce legislation influenced by the Distraction-Free Schools’ model bill package.
About the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project
The Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project (DFS) is a joint initiative between the Becca Schmill Foundation and Smartphone Free Childhood U.S. DFS is volunteer-led by caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, and other community members united in calling for legislative action and policy change to address the overuse of smartphones, social media, and technology products in our nation’s schools. DFS has teams in 38 states, including MA, and partners with other youth-centered organizations. Learn more at www.distractionfreeschools.org.
About Fairplay
Fairplay is the leading nonprofit committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Fairplay works to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. Learn more at www.fairplayforkids.org.
About Sociedad Latina
Sociedad Latina works in partnership with Latine youth and families to create the next generation of Latine leaders who are confident, competent, self-sustaining, and proud of their cultural heritage. Our youth-led “Teens and Technology” campaign raises awareness of how technology, social media, and AI affect the mental health, academic success, and well-being of Latine youth and youth of color in Boston.
About Parabola Center for Law and Policy
Parabola Center is a nonprofit of legal, public health, and policy professionals coming together to put people over profits and prevent monopolies in emerging industries. Through research and education, we provide the tools and expertise to shape regulations around new field including AI. Parabola Center led the drafting of the Student-First AI Policy, which establishes a strict vetting and evaluation process for any AI tool a school district considers putting in front of students, requiring independent evidence of educational value and safety.
About Turning Life On
Turning Life On is a Massachusetts coalition of community-based groups working together to change the norms around technology use. From the statehouse to the classroom, we advocate for intentional tech policies and practices. We work with state and national leaders, and welcome independent and nationally-affiliated groups. With virtual and in-person get togethers, resources created and tested in MA, and funding opportunities, we help individuals build community support and successfully advocate for change in their districts. Join us at turninglifeon.org.
About The Mass AI Action Network
The Mass AI Action Network brings advocates and organizations across Massachusetts together to actively shape how AI affects their lives and communities. Through coalition building, grassroots organizing, public education, and engagement with policymakers, we work to turn public concerns about AI into collective action to benefit societal well-being and prevent harm. We provide ways to learn and connect around issues of AI, support organizing efforts around those issues, and develop a network of concerned citizens, advocacy groups, and policymakers to address AI safety together. Join us at www.massaction.net.
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