Your child plays with a doll that can do more than just talk or light up. This doll could be a portal through which strangers can see and hear into your home. Sounds like a scene from a science fiction movie? However, in today's world of smart toys, this is a real possibility.
The hidden world of smart toys
Smart toys such as remote-controlled cars or dolls with built-in cameras are no longer just a trend, but a permanent fixture on the toy market. These technologically advanced toys can be connected to the internet or via Bluetooth, which is both fascinating and unsettling. Tobias Messer, an expert at R+V Versicherung, points out that such toys can collect data about the whereabouts and habits of children. An unsecured Bluetooth connection could allow strangers to communicate with the child through the toy or even listen to it.
Risks and data protection issues
These smart toys are not only entertainment objects but also potential sources of data. Manufacturers can use the data collected by the toy to create tailored advertising, or in the worst case, this data can be misused by cybercriminals for identity theft.
Tips for safe handling of smart toys
To protect children's privacy, Messer recommends that parents exercise caution when purchasing digital toys and carefully examine the functions. This also includes reading the manufacturer's data protection information to find out what data is collected and how it is processed. Parents should also keep data sharing to a minimum and ensure that the Wi-Fi network the toy is connected to is secure.
Conclusion: balancing act between technology and security
Smart toys offer children an interactive and exciting play experience, but also involve risks that cannot be ignored. Conscious use of these toys and an understanding of the privacy issues involved are critical to ensuring the safety and privacy of our children. Parents play a key role in finding the right way to handle this new generation of toys.
Source: Press portal
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Notes:
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