The “Trouble in Toyland 2023” report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund highlights a growing concern in today’s toy market: the rise of smart toys with artificial intelligence.

This report doesn’t just list these toys; it rings alarm bells over the serious privacy issues they bring into our homes.

These aren’t just high-tech gadgets; even regular toys like balls and doctor’s kits now have features like cameras, microphones, and GPS to collect data on our kids. Shockingly, these toys are often marketed to children as young as three.

One of the most alarming examples was the Fisher Price Smart Toy Bear, designed for kids aged 3 to 8, which could record conversations.

It was pulled from the market due to the risk of hackers accessing it.

This isn’t just a theoretical risk.

The report points to a real-life nightmare where an 11-year-old girl from New Jersey was kidnapped by someone who allegedly contacted her through Roblox, a gaming platform.

Thankfully, she was found safe, but far from home.

Roblox has denied that their platform was used for the initial contact, but the incident remains a chilling example of what can go wrong.

Teresa Murray, co-author of the report, captures the essence of the problem: “It’s chilling to learn what some of these toys can do.”

She points out that while these toys can be fun and educational, they also bring significant risks into the family home.

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The report doesn’t stop at privacy; it also raises health concerns, especially about the effects of virtual reality and similar technologies on children’s developing brains.

Dr. Mark Bertin, a developmental pediatrician, advises caution, emphasizing that the risks are not worth taking until more is known.

Parents are urged to take steps to protect their children.

They should check if the toy can connect to the internet, understand its recording capabilities, and read up on the toy’s privacy policy.

It’s also recommended to research the toy’s manufacturer for any history of privacy issues and to look at reviews from other parents.

Despite these warnings, the market for smart toys is booming, with an increase to $16.65 billion in 2023 and expected growth to $35.11 billion by 2027.

This growth indicates a trend that isn’t going away anytime soon, making it even more crucial for parents and guardians to be vigilant.

The PIRG report is a wake-up call.

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It’s a reminder that alongside the traditional watchful eye of Santa, parents must now contend with the less benign gaze of smart toys.

Protecting children’s privacy and safety in this age of rapid technological advances is becoming an increasingly complex task, one that requires awareness and action from every concerned parent, grandparent and other relatives.