With Saint Nicholas Day approaching, connected toys are once again among the most popular gifts: smart watches, robots, interactive soft toys, etc. Their fun and innovative features appeal to both children and parents. However, behind these attractive gadgets sometimes lie risks to the privacy and safety of young children. Here's how to make the right choices and protect your children.
Some examples of connected toys
On the Belgian market, you can find GPS watches for children, interactive talking robots and programmable educational toys. These devices may include a microphone, camera or GPS, or connect to the cloud, which makes them practical but potentially sensitive if security is not sufficient.
What are the risks of connected toys?
1. Invasion of privacy
Some toys record sounds and images, track location or analyse playing habits. If this data is not properly protected, it can be exposed or retrieved by third parties.
2. Cyberattacks and hacking
A poorly secured toy can be hacked. A cybercriminal could listen in via a microphone, activate a camera or even control the toy remotely.
3. Access to inappropriate content
Toys connected to the Internet can sometimes display or broadcast unfiltered content that is inappropriate for the child's age.
4. Commercial exploitation
The data collected may be used for advertising purposes, exposing children to personalised marketing content.
What precautions should you take before buying?
· Check the manufacturer's reputation
A quick search of online reviews may reveal known security issues.
· Consult the privacy policy
It should indicate what data is collected, how it is stored and whether it is shared.
· Choose toys that are updated regularly
A manufacturer that releases updates is more likely to fix any vulnerabilities.
· Analyse the permissions requested
A toy should not request unjustified access to the camera, microphone or GPS.
Best practices after purchase
· Change the passwords
The original passwords are often the same for all toys of the same model.
· Use secure Wi-Fi
Connect the toy to a protected network or, if possible, to a separate guest network.
· Limit permissions
Disable non-essential features: geolocation, camera, microphone, etc.
· Monitor usage
Explain to your child how to use the toy safely and stay alert to its daily use.
