If you’re buying gifts for children, you’ve probably noticed their wish lists have gone high tech. And even if the kids aren’t asking for them, adults are drawn to buying tech gifts for kids because they can be fun and educational and can keep kids occupied for more than three minutes.
However, some tech gifts for kids come with a big price — and it isn’t the one on your credit card bill. They can put your child and other members of your family at risk for cybercrime or an invasion of the child’s privacy. Because these gifts can connect to the internet, they are internet of things (IoT) devices that require the same type of cybersecurity protections as your other connected devices. If you plan to give the gift of tech this holiday season, you’ll want some tips for keeping kids safe online.
Security Considerations for the Top Children’s Tech Gifts
There are tech gifts for every age and any interest — for the child who just wants something to snuggle during playtime or for the teenager who wants to compete in Fortnite competitions. But before you put the item in your shopping cart, it’s important to know the types of cyber and privacy risks you’ll have to address.
Communication Tech
It seems like even the youngest child knows how to use their parents’ smartphones and tablets, and many parents see these gifts, along with laptops, as essential for their school-aged children. Smart watches and fitness trackers specially geared for users under 13 are also becoming increasingly popular. Risks here include malware, phishing, buying gifts children online
