Reminder: Smart toys are cute, cuddly, and full of security risks

Today, kids have the chance to interact with their stuffed animals, robots, or dolls in ways their parents were only able to dream of. These toys, usually referred to as “smart” or “connected,” have built-in motion sensors, speakers, and microphones that allow them to analyze what children say and respond within seconds by searching an online database or the internet at large for an appropriate response. They learn children’s preferences and interests over time, so their play can become personalized, which may improve communication skills and has been found to for children with intellectual disabilities. But these toys also open up the internet to children as young as three, creating  a new digital frontier that parents and caregivers need to research, understand, and patrol. 

While you might have firm rules about what you share on social media, it’s harder to perceive smart toys as a potential threat, says Sophie Linington, deputy CEO of Parent Zone, a social enterprise that helps families safely navigate the internet. “You get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking, ‘Oh, it’s a cute teddy bear.’ But if it connects to the internet then the same kind of thinking needs to be done before you hand one over as with a tablet or a phone.”

You should be prepared to keep track of any recall notices and security upgrades for the life of the toy.

Smart toys can be hacked into and parents should also be aware that any information they collect may not be private. If a smart toy or game communicates with a child — whether by text or by “speaking” to them — those messages or recordings will be transmitted to an external database so they can be analyzed and responded to, and they will likely be stored so