Smart Toys and IoT Safety: Protecting Children from Connected Device Risks

The Rise of Connected Devices in Children Lives

Smart toys, connected baby monitors, voice-activated speakers, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices are increasingly present in children bedrooms, nurseries, and play spaces. These devices offer genuine benefits: remote monitoring for parents, interactive educational experiences, and entertainment. They also introduce privacy and security risks that many parents are not fully aware of.

Unlike a traditional toy, a connected device collects data, communicates over the internet, and may store recordings, images, or behavioural data in the cloud. Security vulnerabilities in these devices, and poor data practices by their manufacturers, have resulted in some high-profile incidents involving children safety and privacy.

Types of Connected Devices That May Affect Children

• Smart toys: Toys with internet connectivity, microphones, cameras, or companion apps. These may record conversations, share data with third parties, or have security vulnerabilities.
• Baby monitors: Video baby monitors that connect to home WiFi and can be accessed remotely via a smartphone app. These have been the subject of multiple security incidents in which hackers accessed live video feeds.
• Voice assistants: Devices like smart speakers placed in family areas can be triggered by children voices and may record and store those interactions. Many voice assistant platforms store voice recordings that can be reviewed or used for product improvement.
• Smart televisions and streaming devices: These collect viewing data and in some cases have microphones or cameras.
• Wearables: GPS tracking watches and fitness trackers designed for children collect location data and activity information.
• Educational platforms: Tablet-based educational tools and apps used by younger children collect usage data and sometimes audio or video.

Key Security and Privacy Risks

Inadequate Security

Many lower-cost IoT devices have minimal security built in: weak default passwords, unencrypted data transmission, infrequent security updates, or no update mechanism at all. These vulnerabilities can allow unauthorised access to cameras and microphones, potentially exposing children in private home environments. High-profile cases of strangers accessing baby monitors and speaking to children through them have been reported in multiple countries.

Data Collection and Sharing

Smart toy manufacturers and app developers may collect significant amounts of data from or about children: voice recordings, location, usage patterns, images, and personal information entered during account setup. This data may be shared with third-party advertisers or analytics companies, stored insecurely, or retained indefinitely. In some cases, data collected from children has been breached and exposed.

Regulatory Gaps

Regulation of smart toy and IoT device data practices is improving in many countries but remains uneven. In the United States, COPPA restricts data collection from children under 13, but enforcement is imperfect. In Europe, GDPR provides some protection. In many countries, specific connected toy regulation is still limited. Parents cannot rely on regulation alone to protect their children.

How to Assess a Connected Device Before Purchase

Before buying a smart toy or connected device for your child, consider:

• What data does the device collect, and how is it stored and used? Check the privacy policy specifically.
• Can the device be used without creating an account or connecting to the internet? Offline functionality eliminates most privacy risks.
• Does the manufacturer release regular security updates? Devices with no update path become more vulnerable over time.
• What is the manufacturer track record on security and privacy? Search for any past incidents involving this brand or device.
• Is the device endorsed or assessed by independent child safety or security organisations?

Configuring Connected Devices Safely

If you use connected devices:

• Change default usernames and passwords immediately to strong, unique credentials
• Keep device firmware and apps updated to the latest version
• Use strong, unique passwords for any associated accounts and enable two-factor authentication where available
• Review and restrict app permissions: does a toy companion app need access to location, contacts, or camera beyond what is necessary?
• Place baby monitors and cameras so they point only at the cot or play area, not at changing areas
• Consider placing voice assistants outside children bedrooms and review your voice history settings periodically
• Disable microphones and cameras on smart devices when not needed

Talking to Children About Smart Devices

Older children benefit from age-appropriate conversations about how connected devices work. Explaining that a smart speaker records what it hears, or that a connected toy might share information, builds critical awareness about the privacy implications of technology. Children who understand how devices work are better equipped to think carefully about what they say and do around them.

The Safer Alternative

For younger children especially, traditional toys and non-connected baby monitors remain the simplest and safest choice. A video monitor that records only to a local device, without internet connectivity, eliminates the remote access risk entirely. A traditional toy with no microphone or internet connection cannot record or transmit anything. When the benefits of connectivity are not clearly significant, the simpler option is often the safer one.