Consumer and human rights groups from around the world are calling on governments and educators to protect children from commercial exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Related: Dems Seek Government Privacy Protections for EdTech-Collected Kids Data

Distance learning could become the new normal. For example, the White House is proposing that all school-age children get high-speed broadband access and teachers get training in online curricula as part of his plan to reopen the economy. 

Given that new reality, the groups want to make sure that in the rush to deliver online instruction, children's rights, to privacy and others, are not undermined with effects lasting beyond the crisis. 

Related: Dems Seek Distance Learning Dollars in COVID-19 Aid Bill

In an "open letter," the groups ask data protection authorities to get together to publish guidelines, monitor companies and enforce compliance for e-learning platforms and edtech.  

And with government putting millions into edtech and connectivity, the groups want governments to take responsibility for the products they subsidize or recommend, and to make upholding children's rights--as recognized by the UN--the quid pro quo. 

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They said kids deserve a "secure space" to learn "without commercial interference," the point being that children's mandatory online participation not be "exploited." 

Singing on to the letter were Defend Digital Me; Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood; Access Now; Aspiration; Badass Teachers Association; Berkeley Media Studies Group; Biometrics-in-Schools; Bolo Bhi; Child Rights International Network (CRIN); Consumer Action; Consumer Federation of America; Corporate Accountability; Digital Rights Foundation; EDRi (European Digital Rights); Educadigital Institute - Open Education Initiative; Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) Inc.; Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC); El Instituto Panameño de Derecho y Nuevas Tecnologías (IPANDETEC); Instituto Alana; New Dream; Obligation, Inc.; Open Rights Group; Parent Coalition for Student Privacy; Parents Across America; Parents Together; P.E.A.C.E. (Peace Educators Allied For Children Everywhere); Privacy International; Privacy Salon; Public Citizen; Public Knowledge; TEDIC (The Association of Technology, Education, Development, Research, Communication); TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Childhood Entertainment); and Women Leading in AI Network.

The White House has unveiled a new online learning resource site, saying tech companies had risen to the occasion to create it. It is the latest effort by OSTP to leverage tech to meet the challenges presented by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Related: OSTP Calls for AI Mining of COVID-19 Database 

As part of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s COVID-19 technology initiative, tech companies were asked to help make online learning resources more accessible to administrators, teachers, parents and students and the result, unveiled Wednesday (March 18), was TechforLearners.org.

“Teachers and educators across the Nation will be relying on technology now more than ever," said U.S. CTO Michael Kratsios. "During this unprecedented time, the Trump Administration is committed to ensuring America’s educators and families have the technology tools to bring classrooms online. We are grateful to the technology and education leaders who jumped into action to launch this important resource."

The site features links to 161 free and 23 discounted products and services offered by edtech companies. 

It described itself as a "searchable database for tools to support those involved in education and the workforce, at all levels, and from all communities as they scale up capabilities for online learning and continue teaching, learning, and working from home."