Avoid smart toys this holiday season, warns a safety expert

Cabbage Patch Kids and Hot Wheels are no longer the hottest toys on the market – they now focus solely on interactive, digital toys – but a safety expert is warning parents to avoid smart toys that connect to the Internet.

“Some toys that are connected to the Internet have serious security issues, and other toys that are not connected to the Internet are much safer,” said David Shipley, CEO of Beauceron Security, a New Brunswick-based security company.

Shipley said toys that connect to the Internet are vulnerable to hacking because 90 percent of smart device manufacturers prevent security researchers from testing the devices before distribution.

“There is no code of practice for testing these devices and… when we grew up and looked for electronic devices, they were tested for safety,” he said.

“They would have the seal of the universal laboratories or the seal of the safety authority on them. But in Canada, at least when it comes to smart toys, there is no stamp of approval or security for these devices.”

Shipley said these toys are at risk of being hacked, but it doesn’t happen as often as with other devices. Toys that connect to the Internet, such as karaoke machines and walkie-talkies, are still vulnerable to attacks.

“Some devices, such as this Bluetooth karaoke machine, do not support pairing of the microphone to the speaker, which means anyone within 10 meters could potentially pair with the children’s toy and say inappropriate things,” he said.

“So failure to take these basic safety measures creates situations where children may be at risk.”

Shipley said the federal government has had some conversations to improve privacy regulations, “but the reality is that our government has largely slept through this change when it comes to these devices.”

He said he doesn’t want to be a total Grinch, so he’s not telling parents to avoid smart toys completely – just those that connect to the internet.

According to Shipley, the hottest toy of the season is Rizmo, a digital pet similar to Tamagotchis and Furbies.

“It’s a smart toy that’s not connected to the internet, so I wholeheartedly support it. “I have nothing against toys that have a computer and some capabilities,” he said.

“I have serious concerns about parents giving their children internet-connected toys.”

Shipley said it’s parents’ responsibility during the holiday season to make sure their children’s toys are safe.

“Make sure you establish good boundaries and good practices with your children because the Internet is a much more dangerous place than it was 20 years ago.”