NET Lab Consulting

Some educational technology genuinely serves students—respecting their development and supporting learning beyond screens. Others are designed to maximize screen time, borrowing tactics from gambling and social media to create dependence. The problem? From the outside, it's hard to tell which is which.

The Solution

NET Lab Consulting evaluates whether educational technology truly serves students—analyzing age-appropriate design, respect for offline learning, transparent business models, and design that avoids manipulation tactics. We help districts identify which tools serve students and help non-exploitative companies prove they're different.

For EdTech Companies

NET Lab Consulting provides independent evaluation for edtech companies committed to student wellbeing—helping you identify gaps, prepare for NET Certified (launching 2028), and prove you're different from exploitative competitors.

Desk Review

Independent assessment without requiring platform access, using NVivo and Python

Includes:• Privacy policy gap analysis
• Business model assessment (does your revenue model create problematic incentives?)
• Academic literature review (what does research say about your tool or category?)
• Terms of service and public-facing materials review
• Publicly available design pattern analysis
• 15-20 page report with specific recommendations for improvementBest for: Preliminary audit before pursuing certifications, identifying potential issues before they become problems

Pricing: $3-5k

Platform Audit

Comprehensive hands-on evaluation across all user roles

Includes:• Everything in Desk Review, PLUS:
• Hands-on testing with admin, teacher, student, and parent accounts
• Dark pattern identification (features that may unintentionally create dependence)
• Data collection mapping and transparency review
• Age-appropriate design evaluation
• Feature-by-feature assessment
• 25-40 page detailed report with specific design improvement recommendationsBest for: Preparing for NET Certified (2028), demonstrating commitment to school buyers, competitive differentiation from exploitative competitors

Pricing varies by complexity:
• Simple single-purpose tools: $10-15K
• Moderate complexity (3-4 user roles, multiple features): $15-20K
• Complex platforms/full suites: $20-25K

Early Certification

Companies who complete a Platform Audit with NET Lab Consulting will receive full credit toward NET Certification when it launches in 2028.

Your audit cost applies directly to certification fees—you're essentially getting certified early. In 2028, you'll only need to confirm your product hasn't changed and pay any annual maintenance fees.

Benefits:
• Be among the first certified companies when NET Certified launches
• Use audit findings NOW to improve your product before certification
• Demonstrate early commitment to non-exploitative design

What Makes NET Lab Different

We provide the external perspective you need to identify issues your team might not see—and prepare you for independent certification that helps ethical companies stand out.

We evaluate:
• Does your business model depend on maximizing student screen time?
• Do design patterns use gambling or social media tactics?
• Does your tool create anxiety, dependence, or undermine intrinsic motivation?
• Is it age-appropriate for cognitive development?
• Does it respect the importance of offline learning?

For School Districts & Educators

NET Lab Consulting helps districts evaluate educational technology before adoption—and audit tools already in use—to identify which serve students vs. create dependence.

Desk Review

Comprehensive evaluation without requiring platform access, using NVivo and Python
Includes:• Privacy policy analysis
• Business model assessment (how does the company make money?)
• Academic literature review (when available)
• Terms of service and parent/teacher resources review
• Publicly available design pattern analysis
• 15-20 page report with recommendationsBest for: Initial vetting of tools, quick risk assessment, or evaluating tools before purchase

Pricing: $3-5k

Platform Audit

In-depth hands-on evaluation across all user roles, using NVivo and Python
Includes:• Everything in Desk Review, PLUS:
• Hands-on testing with admin, teacher, student, and parent accounts
• Dark pattern identification (gamification tactics, engagement manipulation, guilt/anxiety triggers)
• Data collection mapping (what's actually tracked vs. what the policy says)
• Feature-by-feature evaluation against age-appropriate design principles
• 25-40 page detailed report with specific recommendationsBest for: Thorough pre-purchase vetting or detailed audit of current tools

Pricing varies by complexity:
• Simple single-purpose tools: $10-15K
• Moderate complexity (3-4 user roles, multiple features): $15-20K
• Complex platforms/full suites: $20-25K

Implementation Review

(Requires tool already deployed in classrooms). Complete evaluation including real-world usage patterns

Includes:• Everything in Platform Audit, PLUS:
• Classroom observations (how is it actually being used?)
• Teacher interviews (what pressures exist to maximize usage?)
• Student focus groups (where appropriate)
• Parent feedback collection
• Analysis of implementation context (does deployment create dependence?)
• Comprehensive 50+ page report with implementation recommendationsBest for: Understanding impact of tools already in use, or research on edtech implementation

Pricing varies by complexity:
• Simple tools with limited implementation: $25-30K
• Moderate complexity (multiple classrooms, grade levels): $30-35K
• Complex district-wide implementations: $35-40K+

What Makes NET Lab Different

Legal compliance (FERPA, COPPA) is important—and certifications like Common Sense Privacy and iKeepSafe evaluate that.
We focus on what they don't: exploitation beyond what's legal.
We evaluate:
• Does the business model depend on maximizing student screen time?
• Does it use gambling and social media tactics to create dependence?
• Does it create anxiety or undermine intrinsic motivation?
• Is it age-appropriate for cognitive development?
• Does it respect the importance of offline learning?

Get Started

Ready to evaluate your educational technology? Have questions about which service tier fits your needs?

Contact: meredith (at) netlabconsulting.net

I also intentionally prioritize meaningful in-person conversations over metrics-driven social media. Let's connect at:
• Bett UK (January 21-23, London)
• CoSN 2026 (April 13-15, Chicago)
• ISTE 2026 (June 28-July 1, Orlando)
• Responsible Tech Summit (October 2026, NYC)

Let's discuss how NET Lab Consulting can help your district make informed decisions about educational technology.