From talking toys

Talking cuddly toys, audio-digital learning pens, robots as math helpers: Digitization has long since found its way into children's rooms with "smart toys. In addition to the box of wooden blocks and dress-up dolls, the toy industry now also puts teddy bears that talk to children or robots that can even give clever answers on the shopping shelves. These new smart toys can be really fun or even make learning different - but are they safe?

When we talk about "smart toys," a distinction is made between networked and non-networked toys. That is, between toys that connect to the Internet and toys that only function offline.

Non-networked smart toys use a microphone and camera, for example, to register how the child interacts with the toy. Using built-in software, the information is processed, but the devices are not connected to the Internet and do not have Bluetooth. The interaction of the toy with the child is pre-programmed and takes place exclusively in the toy itself.

Networked toys, on the other hand, can even communicate with the child using voice recognition and speakers, answering questions from the child. They also collect data by means of a microphone, sensors or cameras, but then send it via a Bluetooth interface or other wireless interface over the Internet to cloud servers, where the data is stored and processed.

Voice-controlled dolls, robots with integrated cameras or cars controlled by apps combine analog play with digital possibilities. Some smart toys can already access information from the Internet directly during play. For example, if a child wants to know which is the fastest car in the world, the respective software can search for an answer on knowledge platforms. Other smart toys attempt to promote individual learning processes, such as language learning via smart books. By means of voice recording and playback, they learn the language interactively at different levels of difficulty, adapted to the respective learning level and speed.

The smart doll Senta from the above-mentioned thriller is a networked toy that can connect to other devices and the Internet. Personal data is collected via voice recognition, for example, and transmitted to a server. In addition, unsecured Bluetooth connections can lead to strangers connecting to the toy and thus contacting a child. In addition, when it comes to data protection, it is often unclear how personal data is collected, evaluated, stored and possibly also passed on to third parties.

The ability of smart toys to adapt individually to the child and to better support learning processes, for example, is seen as a great potential of smart toys. Nevertheless, a close look at security settings and privacy policies should not be neglected in order to protect the privacy of children and families.