University of Kwazulu-Natal

Digital Safety And Edtech Trends That Will Shape 2026

Bonisiwe Shabane
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digital safety and edtech trends that will shape 2026

Last year marked the moment when education stopped talking in hypotheticals and started dealing with the reality of rapid technological change. The pace was quicker, the expectations were higher, and the sector reached a point where small experiments were no longer enough. AI became part of everyday decision making, digital confidence moved from nice-to-have to essential, and questions about trust, access, and skills surfaced more sharply than ever. It was a year that forced schools, universities, and employers to think beyond pilots and begin shaping longer-term strategies. If 2025 was the acceleration point, 2026 is where education begins to build with more intention, more clarity, and a far stronger sense of what works. This shift sets the tone for the year ahead.

The conversations shaping 2026 are no longer about whether technology belongs in classrooms, campuses, or workplaces, but about how it is designed, governed, and integrated so it genuinely strengthens learning and professional growth. The sector enters the year with sharper priorities, firmer expectations, and a clearer understanding of the gaps that still need addressing. So where does that leave us? These are ETIH’s EdTech predictions for 2026. If there is one shift ETIH predicts will become impossible to ignore this year, it is how quietly AI slips into the systems everyone already uses. Instead of arriving as shiny new tools, AI will be baked into planning platforms, reporting dashboards, and workflow software, turning up in places where users barely notice it at first.

That subtlety is exactly why 2026 will matter. When automation becomes the default rather than the add-on, schools, colleges, and employers will need to look more closely at what the technology is actually doing, who is checking it, and where human judgment... This is the year AI stops introducing itself and simply takes a seat at the table. We're not just a vendor. Linewize's goal is to be a strategic partner to our customers. Our commitment to their long term success drives everything we do.

We provide the most comprehensive suite of digital safety and wellbeing solutions in the world. We help schools and districts expand beyond our best-in-class filtering to a more robust provision, capable of addressing today's challenges. Linewize's team of experts produce a wealth of insights to keep our districts and schools informed on all things student digital safety and wellbeing. By: Harrison Parker Updated: 17 December, 2025 As school districts prepare for another year of rapid technological change, the digital landscape for students is shifting faster than ever. As K-12 schools prepare for 2026, edtech and innovation are no longer driven by novelty–it’s driven by necessity.

District leaders are navigating tighter budgets, shifting enrollment, rising cybersecurity threats, and an urgent demand for more personalized, future-ready learning. At the same time, AI, data analytics, and emerging classroom technologies are reshaping not only how students learn, but how educators teach, assess, and support every learner. The result is a defining moment for educational technology. From AI-powered tutoring and automated administrative workflows to immersive career-connected learning and expanded cybersecurity frameworks, 2026 is poised to mark a transition from experimental adoption to system-wide integration. The year ahead will test how effectively schools can balance innovation with equity, security with access, and automation with the irreplaceable role of human connection in education. Here’s what K-12 industry experts, stakeholders, and educators have to say about what 2026 will bring:

AI becomes fully mainstream: With clearer guardrails and safety standards, AI will shift from pilot projects to a natural part of daily classroom experiences. AI tackles the biggest challenges: learning gaps and mental health: Chronic absenteeism, disengagement and widening readiness levels are creating urgent needs, and AI is one of the only tools that can scale support quickly. Hyper-personalized learning becomes standard: Students need tailored, real-time feedback more than ever, and AI will adapt instruction moment to moment based on individual readiness. AI tutoring expands without replacing teachers: Quick, focused bursts of AI-led practice and feedback can relieve overwhelmed teachers and give students support when they need it most. The novelty era of AI is over: In 2026, districts will prioritize solutions that measurably improve student outcomes, relevance and wellbeing, not just cool features.–Kris Astle, Education Expert and Manager of Learning and Adoption,... At TCS, we don’t just help businesses transform.

We help them become perpetually adaptive enterprises, built to evolve continuously and confidently in a world of constant change. We deliver excellence and create value for customers and communities - everyday. With the best talent and the latest technology we help customers turn complexity into opportunities and create meaningful change. Point of views, research, studies - on the latest themes - to help you expand your knowledge and be future ready. At TCS, we believe exceptional work begins with hiring, celebrating and nurturing the best people — from all walks of life. Stay up-to-date on all press announcements by TCS

I remember watching the movie ‘Her’ back in 2014. The concept of an artificial intelligence system designed to meet human needs seemed so wildly futuristic and unreal back then! (I say as I ask ChatGPT to help me with my weekly grocery list 😅) Ready Player One, with its VR headsets that transported you into a virtual world for a treasure hunt, left me in awe. The story was set in 2045, but here we are, 20 years earlier, where VR headsets capable of taking us into the hyper-realistic metaverse are already a reality. The past decade has completely changed the way we think, work, study, and live.

Technology is evolving at breakneck speed and the world of education is changing faster than ever, thanks to constant innovation, better digital infrastructure and research-led learning models. The adoption of digital tools in the past few years has moved from “nice-to-have” to absolutely essential. It’s no surprise that the global EdTech market is projected to reach a staggering $348.41 billion by 2030. 2025 saw several exciting EdTech trends flourish and redefine how we teach and learn. And as we step into the new year, we’re not just expecting new trends, we’ll also see existing ones mature and scale new heights. Here are the 7 most promising education technology trends set to shape learning in 2026:

By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies and similar tracking technologies described in our privacy policy. Each year, the pace of change in K-12 education seems to accelerate, and 2026 is no exception. From the expanding influence of artificial intelligence to new expectations for online security and safety, schools are balancing bold innovation with the realities of limited time, resources, and capacity. That’s where CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative comes in. Guided by a global Advisory Board of educators, technologists, and thought leaders, this work surfaces the forces most shaping learning today for tomorrow’s learners. “The power of this work lies in its collective intelligence,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN.

“When leaders come together to identify the forces driving, hindering, and enabling teaching and learning, we’re not simply naming trends — we’re shaping how innovation takes root in schools. These insights give educators everywhere a clearer sense of what matters most and how to move forward with purpose.” After months of collaboration, discussion, and analysis, the Advisory Board has selected the 2026 Top Topics — the challenges, trends, and technology tools that will define the future of K-12 innovation. A few observations: Every year, learning changes a little. But as we head towards 2026, the pace of change feels different.

More urgent. More human. More personal. Learners are asking for authenticity. Organizations want learning that works in practice, not just in theory. And technology is finally mature enough to support a kind of learning that feels alive.

In this article, we'll delve into the 7 eLearning trends that will shape 2026, starting with the newest and boldest shifts already underway. These predictions come from real conversations, real projects, and real behaviors we're seeing across industries. A few months ago, in one feedback session, an employee said something to me that I have not forgotten. She said, "I do not want more content. I want learning that understands me." That sentence sums up the heart of 2026. Learning is no longer how much information we push, but how deeply the learning connects with the individual.

People want guidance at the moment of need. They want clarity during difficult tasks. They want to feel seen and supported and understood. Trends that define 2026 are moving us toward that vision. The 7 trends, in the order that follows, take us into a world we are entering, not one we are leaving.

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