With big gift-giving holidays on the horizon, consumer advocacy groups are warning parents about purchasing smart toys for their children. Many people fear that others are listening to our private conversations via cellphones and things such as smart speakers. The concern is that children are susceptible to this kind of spying, and parents need to be aware.
Per ABC News, a report from a group of consumer advocacy groups known collectively as the US Public Interest Research Group Education Fund indicates a rising concern for spy technology that targets children and suggests that letting these types of toys into our homes could spell trouble.
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Smart toys aren’t inherently bad.
As a matter of fact, they can be pretty useful as learning tools for children. The trouble begins when these toys have Wi-Fi capability and can give people access through microphones and speakers.
This type of technology isn’t limited to phones and tablets; simple toys such as dolls or stuffed animals can also be problematic. It’s not the toys themselves; it is what’s inside them.
The technology is concerning to one consumer watchdog group.
The US Public Interest Research Group Education Fund issued a news release on Thursday outlining findings from its 38th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report.
“It’s chilling to learn what some of these toys can do,” said Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog at the education fund and co-author of the report.
According to the release, a man kidnapped a girl earlier this year by grooming her through the popular online game Roblox. Luckily, she was found safe but was 135 miles from home.
Whether we know it or not, people are listening.
The education fund reported that the Federal Trade Commission accused Amazon of violating children’s privacy laws through its Alexa service by recording children’s voices and keeping the recordings even after parents requested they be deleted. Something as innocent as a child requesting a song or asking about the weather could potentially lead to trouble.
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Kids want the latest and greatest technology but can’t comprehend the power of some of these toys.
Sadly, we hear all too often about adults preying on innocent children. If predatory adults can contact children through smart toys, they will find a way to do it.
“Smart toys can be useful, fun, or educational, but interacting with some of them can create frightening situations for too many families,” Murray emphasized in the statement.
It is up to parents to monitor what is happening in their homes.
According to the release, the report gives specifics about smart toys and helpful tips for parents and gift-givers to consider before purchasing a smart toy with features such as a microphone, camera, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth capability.
