Keeping Your Kids Safe in the Internet of Things (IoT) Era

When you look around your home, chances are that you will notice plenty of things that are connected to the internet – even some that you might not understand exactly why they would be. From your television and refrigerator to your kids’ toys, the number of devices that can connect to Wi-Fi and transmit data is almost mind-boggling.

And while you undoubtedly enjoy some of the functionality of your connected devices (did we turn on the porch lights?) there are certainly some dangers associated with them, especially when it comes to your kids. So while your youngster might be begging you to connect their fancy new doll so it can walk and talk, before you do, you should understand some of the dangers of the “Internet of Things” and how to protect your family.

The IoT Threats

You probably wouldn’t let your child have unfettered access to the internet. Beyond the very real threats of child predators, online bullies, and other cybercriminals, kids often do not have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their own privacy and personal information. They are more likely to give information to anyone who asks for it, and aren’t as adept at spotting suspicious emails or other messages.

Yet all too often, parents connect toys, household appliances, and other items to the internet without a second thought, not realizing that many of the same dangers exist there as they do on the household computer. For example:

• Items connected to the internet generate huge amounts of data about the device usage, and by extension, your family. Do you know what data is being collected? Do you know what’s being done with that data?
• IoT devices often work via an app. What permissions did you have to grant the app? Are you providing information about your child’s location, for example, without even realizing it?
• IoT devices might contain recording devices, including cameras and voice recorders. For example, several years ago a doll that captured voice commands allowed kids to interact with the toy, but also had the ability to record conversations, etc. If a device has recording capabilities, how are those recordings or videos being used?
• Unsecured connected devices can transmit data to hackers, who can then use that data for nefarious purposes.

These are just a few of the dangers associated with IoT connected devices. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to ban all devices from your home, or sacrifice convenience and functionality. You just need to take a few important security steps.

Protecting Your Kids from IoT Danger

First and foremost, one of the most important steps to protecting your IoT connected devices is to install robust antivirus protection on your home computers, including Macs. Because many devices need to be connected to a computer to transfer data or charge, it’s important to protect those machines from any malware or viruses that may already be present right out of the box.

It’s also important to secure your Wi-Fi connection, using a strong password. By securing your home Wi-Fi, you can help keep out hackers who can steal data from all of your devices, not just IoT toys. And speaking of your IoT devices, pay close attention to the available settings.

Many allow for certain features to be disabled (for example, camera capabilities) manually. If you can change the default password on the device, do so as soon as possible. With the default username and password, any hacker who gains access to your network can access the device, potentially putting your kids and their privacy at risk.

Finally, teach your kids about the dangers of the internet, and the importance of keeping their information secure. Teach them what is acceptable to share online and what isn’t, and set limits on what they can do when using connected devices. Be sure that parental controls are engaged, and encourage your kids to come to you with any questions or concerns they have.

There’s a growing movement toward more regulations for IoT devices, particularly those marketed to children. Expect to see newer devices equipped with stronger controls to allow parents to secure the devices more effectively and monitor the access and usage of the data that is collected. Until then, though, it’s up to parents to stay on top of the IoT in their homes, and take steps to protect their families.