At the time of their launch, smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home, were praised for their convenience and usefulness. However, with the rapid adoption of these devices, concerns about their safety for children have arisen.
In most cases, these issues have to do with privacy and security. Smart speakers have microphones that are always “listening” to conversations and as such could be recording such conversations without users being aware. Furthermore, many smart speakers are linked to cloud services, meaning that their interactions may be stored online, leaving them susceptible to exploitation by third parties.
This privacy issue can be addressed by taking precautionary measures, such as only using the smart speaker when necessary, using voice commands that are not too personal, and disabling the recorder when not in use. Additionally, it is also possible to set up parental controls to ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate content that could be accessed via the device.
At the same time, there is also the concern that these devices may not be age appropriate for children. Smart speakers may interact with children in ways that are not intended and may even expose them to language and content that is too mature for their age.
Parents should be aware of the potential issues that may arise from the use of these devices by children. While it is possible to take steps to ensure their security and safety, it is ultimately up to the parent to determine if the use of a smart speaker is appropriate for their children. When in doubt, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid exposing children to these devices.
