Private schools ban Meta glasses 'over bullying fears'

A number of private schools have banned Meta glasses over concerns the glasses could lead to bullying as the backlash against the hi-tech spectacles grows.The glasses, developed by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, are designed to look like a typical pair of sunglasses or spectacles. However, they contain tiny cameras which have been criticised as an invasion of privacy because they allow users to discreetly film or take pictures.In response, courtrooms and businesses have banned the glasses and now numerous schools appear to be following suit.Haberdashers' Boys' School in Hertfordshire has banned the tech from their school grounds in a new rule coming into effect this September.In Suffolk, Woodbridge School has introduced a similar ban while Shrewsbury School in Shropshire warned parents last year that the glasses should not be worn by pupils.In letters sent to parents, the fee-paying schools said concerns about privacy and child safety were behind the new policies.'While these developments are exciting, they also raise important questions about privacy and safety in a school environment,' Shrewsbury School told parents in a message seen by the Daily Telegraph.'Smart glasses can discreetly record, livestream or share content instantly and therefore can pose risks to pupils, staff and visitors.' The glasses, developed by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) , are designed to look like a typical pair of sunglasses or spectacles. However, they contain tiny cameras which have been criticised as an invasion of privacy Pictured: Shrewsbury School in Shropshire one of a number of private schools which have moved to ban the glasses Meanwhile, Woodbridge School updated its mobile phone policy which reads: 'The use of smart glasses will not be permitted on school grounds by students, parents, visitors or staff.'Separately, concerns have been raised that the glasses could be used for bullying. A study of schools in America found a large number of videos taken with the technology involved harassment or bullying of fellow students.The schools are just the latest places across Britain to ban Meta glasses.At the University of Glasgow, students were told not to wear the glasses into exams to prevent the in-built assistant being used for cheating.Earlier this month, courts across England and Wales warned that anyone trying to enter courthouses wearing the glasses will have them confiscated.Businesses are also following suit with Wetherspoons introducing a ban on customers wearing the glasses. The pub chain said it does not allow the filming of customers or employees without consent, and said 'Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance.'Customers will be told to 'turn off the cameras' if they want to enter any more of its more than 800 venues across the UK. Reality TV star Kylie Jenner wearing a pair of Meta sunglasses. The tech has proven immensely popular with the company selling seven million pairs last yearChairman Sir Tim Martin said: 'The general code that applies in our pubs, and most pubs, is that you can't film customers or employees without their permission.'Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance, so our instinct is to say turn off the cameras.'This is akin to our efforts to stop audible playing of videos in our pubs, which also invades people's space.'Even Instagram, which is owned by Meta, has taken action to ban accounts that appear to use the glasses to secretly film people. Despite the public backlash, Meta smart glasses - priced at between £247 to £379 and made in collaboration with high-end sunglasses manufacturers Ray-Ban and Oakley - have proved immensely popular with the company selling seven million pairs last year.The popularity of the glasses has spurred rival companies to create their own version with Apple reportedly working on camera-equipped AirPod headphones.The Daily Mail has approached Meta for a comment.