Smart toys, otherwise referred to as connected toys, are gaining popularity both with parents and kids. The toys are created to connect with web and other gadgets in order to give the kids a more lively and interactive experience. Although these toys have numerous advantages in terms of pleasure and education, they also provoke questions about privacy and safety.
What is a Smart Toy?
A smart toy is a toy that is web-connected, usually via a wireless network, and can talk to other iot connected devices. The toys include anything from the traditional stuffed animals wearing fancy dress that can interact on voice commands to the interactive play sets that are enabled with the help of augmented reality technology. Thanks to the internet connectivity, these toys have the power to offer a better learning experience for children as they can learn and play in a different manner.
Benefits of Connected & Smart Devices
- Enhanced Learning Experience
Interactive learning experience that smart offer children is more tempting. The internet offers them an array of information and educational content, thus, learning becomes more enjoyable and result-oriented.
- Improved Social Skills
Also, internet connecting toys can also promote communication among children. These toys are with attributes like multiplayer games and video chats that enable virtual playdates and unites children.
- Personalized Experience
Most iot wearable devices are aided by artificial intelligence (AI) to tailor to the choices of each child. This individualized approach allows children to progress at their own rate and can accommodate for their specific needs, interests, and capabilities.
- Easy Communication
Intelligent toys which possess a feature to interact with children’s voices may improve children’s communication. In such cases, these toys can also be considered communication aids and help to promote development.
- Mind and Motor Skill Development
Most of the toys are created to activate the child’s mind and help in motor skills development. Through interactive games and activities, these toys teach kids how to solve problems, to think critically and to build fine motor skills.
- Entertainment
Toys keep children entertained for hours and hours. This is also highly helpful for the parents that has many works and can keep their kids busy while they finish their house chores.
- Parental Monitoring
Some intelligent toys have a section of parental control that permits the parents to monitor what their child is doing and also ask them to set limits. All these characteristics ensure safety and that kids are using the playthings in a safe manner.
Strategies to Increase Privacy and Safety
- Research Before Purchasing
Preceding buying a smart toy, it is essential to deeply analyze the manufacturer and the toy’s features. This involves looking for customer reviews and information related to the company’s privacy and security. Key is to select a reliable company that respects privacy and security.
- Opt for Non-Connected Toys
If you want to guarantee the privacy and safety of your child, one of the most effective ways is to avoid connected toys completely. Traditional toys do not provide as much interaction and involvement, but neither do they bring the same privacy and safety hazard as connected toys. If your child still wants to have the same toy, look for a non-connected version or search for alternative non-connected toys that provide the fun.
- Check for new updates
Building a habit of visiting the manufacturer’s website often and checking for software updates is an important way of ensuring your child’s smart toy remains secure and private. Such updates also contain security patches and updates to privacy settings to make sure your child’s data and personal information is secure.
- When Wi-Fi Is Not Used, Turn off
If the connected smart toy operates on Wi-Fi, the internet must be closed when they are not in work. This decreases the threat toy in terms of security and protects your kids’ online activities. See to it that you switch the smart toy off the internet after every play and reconnect only when your kids are about to play.
- Set Strong Passwords
But remember that if the smart toy asks for the password, make sure to put in the strong and unique one. The toy will also be difficult to be attacked by hackers and any related accounts. A good password should have all three types of characters: letter, number, and special symbol. Additionally, it is important to avoid using the same password for everything.
- Monitor Your Child’s Activity
As with any device, it is critical to supervise your child’s use of toys. Define rules and limits and discuss with your child how to use the Internet safely and responsibly. Monitor what your child is doing on the smart toy and make sure to check in from time to time to see if everything is done in accordance with the rules and that the toy is being used in the right way.
- Teach Children About Online Safety
Apart from overseeing the activities of your child, it is also critical to teach them about the safety of the internet. Spend some time teaching your child not to share the personal details and not to chat with the strangers in the Internet. Ensure that they are able to identify possible threats and how to react in case they came across them. Invite your child to talk to you if they have any concerns or need clarification about anything they see or hear while using their smart toy.
Conclusion
IoT and safety of children in intelligent toys are indeed matters that have to be well thought of by parents, producers and the law-making bodies. However, Internet of Things development company provides many advantages, but it is important to develop measures to safeguard the privacy and safety of the kids. Because technology advances at a fast pace, it becomes necessary to be informed and to be proactive regarding the safety of our children when interacting with smart toys.
