It’s the holiday season. And we all know the magic of seeing your child’s face light up when they open the gift they have been begging for: the smart robot, the interactive doll, or newly released tablet. You feel good about giving them something modern, fun or maybe even educational.
But here’s the thing: in 2025, some of these high-tech toys are more than just playthings. They can have hidden doors. They are internet-connected devices with cameras, mics – and are often gathering data on your children. If these are not properly secured, they may inadvertently open pathways for predators to have access to your children.
This isn’t fear mongering. It is about raising awareness so you can protect your child and still get them their favorite toy.
The New Reality of Childhood: Connected, But Vulnerable
Remember when toys were just toys? Today, they are high-tech, Bluetooth-enabled and internet connected. As a result, kids are more engaged and intrigued than ever before, but it also makes them more vulnerable. And for some products, safety is overshadowed by novelty. So where do we go from here?
“Well”, as Dr. Becky would remind you: “You didn’t grow up with a toy that could talk back and record conversations. There is no manual for parenting in the modern world.”
So, What Makes a Holiday Gift Risky?
The risk here is not the toy itself, but how it’s connected to the internet and what those connections allow. Let’s break down what to look for:
- Smart Toys with Cameras & Microphones – think talking dolls, robots, stuffed animals that “listen” and “learn” or “talk back”.
- Voice or video data can be recorded, uploaded, or even intercepted. If a toy is hacked or unsecured, a predator could eavesdrop or even see into your child’s space.
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- Online/ Multiplayer Capabilities – think games and gaming consoles that allow friend requests, chat, and open communication.
- Predators might pose as peers, befriend, and then groom through chat. Do a quick internet search of Roblox Sexual Abuse Lawsuit and you will see deeply disturbing stories of children who were groomed, kidnapped, and sexually abused even with the parental controls on.
- Wearable Tech for Kids – think smartwatches, GPS trackers, or smart bands.
- Many designed for kids have great safety features in place, but these can still pose a risk of location tracking, messaging, or data leaks.
- Toys with App-Driven Communities – think toys that require apps to “activate” or access special features or tablets that come with preloaded or recommended apps.
- The risk here is access to unmoderated chat, DMs, and open community access through the app. Amazon’s Fire Kids Tablet often comes with preloaded or recommended apps like Roblox. And the danger here is it gives parents the impression of an “official” endorsement, even though safety experts and recent Roblox lawsuits highlight real risks.
What Are the Experts Saying?
Here’s what research and official guidance has told us: the FBI has warned that internet-connected toys can leak personal data such as names and addresses, and that microphones in such toys may record and transmit conversations. (Forbes)
A study from the University of Washington found many parents and children weren’t even aware their toys were recording. (ScienceDaily)
Advocacy groups have filed complaints under COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, arguing that some toy manufacturers collect more data than they should, without clear parental consent or strong safeguards. (Consumer Reports Advocacy)
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has criticized Roblox for enabling sexual predators, particularly because of voice chat among many other vulnerabilities which they argue are risks for grooming. (NCOSE)
What Can You Do Before Buying Holiday Gifts
Before buying gifts, it’s important to ask key questions:
- Check if it connects to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and whether it has a microphone, camera or GPS.
- Find out if it allows communication with other kids, users, or accounts you can control, and whether it has parental controls, and how strong they are.
- Consider what the company does with the collected data (whether it is encrypted and stored securely).
- Look for red flags like vague privacy policies, no way to disable recording, robust parental controls, the ability to delete recording, and local storage on the device.
And remember, if you’re unsure about the safety features, it’s okay to delay the purchase, choose a simpler toy, or contact the manufacturer for more information.
Being a parent nowadays can be pretty complicated with all the fast–changing tech and new risks kids encounter. It really does feel like the Wild West when it comes to connected toys and gaming apps. Until businesses prioritize safety or government regulations catch up, parents are left filling the gap, trying to make sense of what’s safe and what needs a closer look.
Our children deserve a safer digital world and we want you to be informed and empowered as parents because at A Case for Women, we are parents too.
