Don't Get Your Kid an Internet-Connected Toy

For last-minute shoppers, tech toys hold a special appeal. Stapling on internet connectivity also might make these flashy kids gadgets sound all the more appealing; it's not just a teddy bear, it's a machine learning teddy bear. This is not a screed against technology generally, or even tech as it relates to kids; there are plenty of responsible, safe ways for children to navigate and benefit from the internet. Instead, it's an important reminder that toys with an online connection are at their core just another IoT device, often replete with the same ills and vulnerabilities. Plus, they have the added horror of occasionally pointing a microphone or camera at your child.