IXL is one of only 8 products worldwide with KidSAFE certification, but a 2024 class-action lawsuit raised new questions about student data. Here is what parents and schools need to know.
IXL is one of the most widely used adaptive learning platforms in K-12 education, covering math, English language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish from Pre-K through 12th grade. With millions of students using it in schools and at home, parents understandably want to know: is IXL actually safe for kids?
The short answer is that IXL has stronger privacy credentials than most edtech apps. IXL has been a certified member of the KidSAFE Seal Program since 2019, making it one of only 8 products worldwide that hold this independent safety certification. Both the IXL website (child-directed areas) and the IXL mobile app are separately certified. IXL Learning also owns ABCya, the educational games platform, which has been KidSAFE +COPPA CERTIFIED and SAFE CERTIFIED since 2014 — meaning IXL Learning operates two of the eight KidSAFE certified products in the world.
In terms of data collection, IXL collects student names, grade levels, usage data (answers, time spent, skills practiced), device information, IP addresses, and city-level location through cookies. IXL states it does not build advertising profiles from student data and does not serve behavioral ads to children. The platform publishes a dedicated Children's Privacy Policy separate from its general privacy policy, and its data practices are governed by COPPA, FERPA, and applicable state laws.
However, IXL's privacy record is not without controversy. In May 2024, a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging IXL collected and monetized student data without adequate parental consent. A federal judge allowed the case to proceed in November 2024, ruling that schools do not act as agents of parents when contracting with edtech vendors under COPPA. The case remains ongoing, and parents should monitor developments.
We evaluated IXL alongside 7 other safe adaptive learning alternatives based on formal certifications (KidSAFE, iKeepSafe), independent privacy evaluations, data minimization practices, and whether they serve advertising to children.
IXL is a comprehensive adaptive learning platform covering all subjects from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Khan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.
ABCmouse offers a full early learning curriculum with thousands of activities for children ages 2-8.
Starfall teaches reading through systematic phonics with engaging activities for Pre-K through 5th grade.
ABCya offers educational games for Pre-K through 6th grade across all subjects. Free with ads, or pay for ad-free premium access.
HOMER creates personalized reading journeys for children ages 2-8 based on their interests and skill level.
Duolingo ABC teaches phonics and early reading skills through interactive lessons for children ages 3-8.
Yes, IXL is generally considered safe for kids. IXL has been a certified member of the KidSAFE Seal Program since 2019, which independently verifies the safety of child-directed digital products. IXL does not serve behavioral advertising to students, does not allow children under 13 to create accounts without parent or school consent, and publishes a dedicated Children's Privacy Policy. However, a 2024 class-action lawsuit raised questions about IXL's broader data practices, so parents should review the privacy policy and monitor how data is used.
Yes. IXL has held KidSAFE certification since 2019. Both the IXL website (child-directed areas) and the IXL app are separately certified. IXL Learning also owns ABCya, which has been KidSAFE +COPPA CERTIFIED and SAFE CERTIFIED since 2014. Out of only 8 products worldwide that hold KidSAFE certification, IXL Learning operates two of them.
When used through a school, IXL collects student names, email addresses (if provided by the school), grade level, and usage data including answers submitted, time spent, skills practiced, and performance scores. IXL also collects device information, IP addresses, browser type, and city-level location data through cookies and tracking technologies. IXL states it does not build advertising profiles from student data.
IXL states that its Service is designed to comply with COPPA. IXL does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without consent from a parent or school. When used in classrooms, IXL relies on schools to provide COPPA consent on behalf of parents. IXL also holds KidSAFE certification, which is an FTC-approved COPPA Safe Harbor program, providing an additional layer of compliance verification.
IXL's terms state the company will never sell student data to third parties. However, the terms also state that IXL may sell data from school or parent users to third parties. A 2024 class-action lawsuit alleged IXL collected and monetized data from school-age children without adequate parental consent. The case is ongoing. Parents should review IXL's current privacy policy and their school district's Data Privacy Agreement with IXL.
IXL costs $79/year for one subject or $159/year for all subjects (math, ELA, science, social studies, and Spanish). For families who want comprehensive, adaptive K-12 practice with detailed progress tracking, IXL offers strong value. However, if your school already provides IXL access, check before paying for a home subscription. Free alternatives like Khan Academy Kids (ages 2-8) and Starfall (Pre-K-5) offer strong privacy protections at no cost.
In May 2024, several parents filed a class-action lawsuit against IXL Learning in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit alleges IXL collected and monetized the data of millions of school-age children without parental consent, violating the Federal Wiretap Act and state privacy laws. In November 2024, a federal judge denied IXL's motions to dismiss, allowing the case to proceed. IXL has denied the allegations.
IXL holds KidSAFE certification, which is stronger than self-attestation. However, free alternatives like Starfall (a nonprofit that collects zero data from children) and Khan Academy Kids (no ads, no subscriptions, minimal data) have cleaner privacy profiles simply because they collect less data. Prodigy Math holds iKeepSafe COPPA + FERPA certification with a 92% Common Sense Privacy score, making it the most thoroughly vetted free option for math.
IXL is one of the safer mainstream edtech platforms available. Its KidSAFE certification since 2019, dedicated Children's Privacy Policy, and commitment to not serving behavioral advertising to students put it ahead of the majority of education apps on privacy. For schools and parents who need comprehensive K-12 adaptive practice, IXL remains a solid choice.
That said, the 2024 class-action lawsuit is a reminder that certifications do not guarantee perfect practices. Parents should review their school district's Data Privacy Agreement with IXL, understand what data is collected, and check whether their school provides IXL access before paying for a separate home subscription.
For families who prioritize minimal data collection above all else, Starfall (zero data collection, nonprofit) and Khan Academy Kids (100% free, no ads) offer the cleanest privacy profiles. For math specifically, Prodigy holds the strongest certification stack with iKeepSafe COPPA, FERPA, and CSPC certifications plus a 92% Common Sense Privacy score.
IXL Learning's ownership of ABCya (KidSAFE certified since 2014) shows the company has invested in children's safety across its product portfolio — a positive signal for parents evaluating the company's overall commitment to student privacy.
Looking for a privacy-conscious spelling app? SpellingJoy is 100% free, does not collect personal information from children without consent, serves no advertising, and gives teachers full control through a classroom dashboard. Try SpellingJoy free today.
About the Author
SpellingJoy Team
The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.