Tech gifts for kids for Christmas? What to consider before buying them

Christmas is coming and, for some parents, this is the perfect time to give in and consider the gadgets on your kids’ wish list. With plenty of options for every budget, the decision is not hard. Here are some general things to consider and questions to answer to avoid any privacy or safety hazards.

Smartphones and tablets. Even if your child has used one before, buying their own is a big decision. First of all, ask yourself whether they are prepared to take on such a responsibility. According to Influence Central’s 2016 Digital Trends Study, the average child in the US “gets his or her first smartphone at 10.3 years old. That same study shows that by the age of 12, a full 50 percent of children have social media accounts (primarily Facebook and Instagram)”.

Setting some rules and boundaries might help. Think about:

What’s the main purpose, how will they use it?

Do they know the basic rules for staying safe online?

What apps will they install? How much online time will you allow them?

What is the school’s policy regarding smartphones?

Will you install parental control so you can monitor their activity?

Game consoles. Before buying one, be aware you are unlocking a whole new world your kids will never want to leave behind. The best option for the family is to use the console together, so adults can protect the young from explicit content, adult-rated games, chats with strangers and uncontrolled in-game purchases (at least until kids learn to do this by themselves). Since playing a video game is so fun, setting boundaries for screen time could become harder with time.

So here are some tips:

Do a bit of research to learn how the console works

Buy only games your kids can handle

Set the parental controls from the outset

Set limits on play time

Keep the console in a family room so you can keep an eye on what is s/he is doing, especially if other gamers contact them.

Smart toys and robots come with many great features, both entertaining and educational. They also offer parents relief that, at least, they are not “screens,” so are not as harmful as smart gadgets. But they are connected to the internet, so they can pose privacy and safety risks to your family. Hacked teddy bears, spying cuddly pets and dolls are just some of the devices that have made it to the news over the years.

Before choosing a smart and affordable connected toy, check whether it has any known vulnerabilities. A Google search after its name and “hack”, “security” or “vulnerability” may come back with discussions, mentions and other users’ experiences with it. If the reviews are bad, don’t buy it.

If it’s ok, keep researching. Look up the manufacturer and see if they are preoccupied with the security of their product. Read the terms and conditions and the toy’s manual to see how intrusive it is and what data it collects about your children’s habits

Make sure you use a strong password and keep it updated. Think of the smart toy as a door to your house; if it is not locked at all times, anyone can come in.

Smart accessories such as GPS watches and activity trackers can also affect your child’s personal security. They use apps, and if the connection or your smartphone is not secure enough, anyone can gain access to your child’s exact location, personal information, or even worse, communicate with them. So, it is better to ponder advantages vs. disadvantages before buying one, and choose only the most secure products.

Your family’s security and privacy are too important not to be considered top priority. You can minimize most of the risks by doing your cybersecurity homework even during the winter holiday.