Smart Toys and Connected Gadgets: Which Need Accounts and What They Collect
Last verified: August 2026
That talking toy or app-connected gadget can be delightful — but many quietly collect data about your child. Here's what to check before it comes online, in plain English.
About smart toys and kids' gadgets
A “smart toy” connects to the internet or an app — think talking dolls, app-linked robots, learning tablets, and AI companions. Many need an account and can collect a child's voice recordings, video, location, and device identifiers. In the U.S., a law called COPPA requires companies to get a parent's consent before collecting personal information from children under 13, and its rules were tightened further with changes taking effect through 2025 and into 2026.
The rules exist, but they aren't always followed — regulators have repeatedly found toys collecting more than their privacy policies disclose. In January 2026, security researchers found an AI toy had left tens of thousands of children's chat transcripts exposed online. That's the real risk: not just what's collected, but how carelessly it can be stored.
None of this means you must avoid smart toys — it means setting them up thoughtfully: share as little as needed, use strong logins, and be choosy about which gadgets get to listen and watch.
When to skip the DIY and just call: Deciding whether a gadget is worth the data it wants · Setting it up with the least sharing possible · Checking a toy's privacy and security before the grandkids use it.
Common Questions
1 What should I check before buying or gifting one?
- See whether it needs an account and internet at all — the simpler the toy, the less it can collect.
- Read (or skim) the privacy policy for what it records: voice, video, location, contacts.
- Look up the brand for any recent security or privacy news before you buy.
- Favor well-known makers with a track record over cheap, unknown gadgets.
2 How do I set one up safely?
- Create the account with a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor login if offered.
- Provide the minimum information required — skip optional fields and extra permissions.
- Turn off features you don't need, like always-on listening or public sharing.
- Keep the toy's app and firmware updated to get security fixes.
3 What does COPPA actually give me?
- Companies must get a parent's consent before collecting personal info from a child under 13.
- You can ask what's been collected and request that it be deleted.
- You can withdraw consent and have the child's data removed.
- If a company isn't honoring this, that's a red flag — reconsider the product.
4 Are AI toys a special concern?
- AI toys that chat can record and send a lot of conversation to company servers.
- There have been real leaks of children's chat transcripts, so treat them cautiously.
- If you allow one, use it in shared spaces, review its settings, and check what it saves.
- When in doubt, choose a simpler toy that doesn't send conversations to the cloud.
5 How do I retire a smart toy safely?
- Before donating or tossing it, delete the account and any stored data through the app.
- Factory-reset the device so it forgets your Wi-Fi and login.
- Remove it from your home Wi-Fi's device list.
- Don't hand off a gadget still linked to your child's account or your network.
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