Invisible Threats: What Parents Should Know About Data Privacy and Baby Product Safety

Parents are on a constant run to meet their personal and professional goals. Life for them is not as simple as it used to be for parents a few decades ago. The immense work pressure and endless personal commitments keep them on their toes almost every hour of the day. There has been one progress, though, that has made parenting easier – the use of technology.

Smart baby products and phone apps smoothen every step of the daily childcare process. But where there is digital dependency, there are unseen risks. The large-scale reliance on devices and apps means higher exposure to data risks. Kids digital privacy is therefore crucial when using tech in parenting.

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Excess data collection

As parents, you might not realize the amount of data that is generated by smart devices and apps. Data in the form of videos, audio, health and wearable metrics, schedules, etc. is constantly being stored and processed by the companies. This is used further to generate behavior patterns to provide the best services to the users.

The information is stored in the cloud so that parents can access it, download it or process it for their records. This consistent transfer and processing of information is where the risk lies. Internet safety facts clearly mention that large-scale data processing means digital footprints of your kids are being created from an early stage. Any data breach at any of these numerous points can spell trouble for parents and the kids. 

Controlled app permissions and wise data usage are therefore of utmost importance. Simple information that includes camera, photo gallery and microphone control tips can ensure greater safety for your kids. This is just the beginning of their lives so their safety is entirely your responsibility.

How data collection creates privacy risks

There are tens of devices you use for parenting and then there are numerous apps on the smartphones. Some of these might be from reliable providers and some from random providers. Assuming that everyone is equally reliable in terms of protecting the data is a bad idea because most of the smart baby products come from run-of-the-mill manufacturers so they lack strong security features.

Poor encryption systems, generic apps and controls and unsecured cloud servers often result in data breaches. Sometimes the service providers themselves share the data with third parties, and that too, without your consent.

Connected homes increase vulnerabilities

Smart baby devices do not operate in an isolated environment. To function optimally, they need to be connected to various other apps and devices. This multiplication of channels through smart TVs, tablets, voice assistants, etc. leads to multiple entry point possibilities for hackers. Cyber safety facts state that interconnectedness of multiple devices is necessary for the optimal parenting process but that’s where most breaches happen.

Parenting apps might expose sensitive information

Increased digitalization of records, especially health-specific ones, has led to the installation of numerous apps on parents’ phones. Vaccination trackers, growth charts, sleep patterns, feeding schedules, etc. are all managed through phone apps. It is common for these apps to ask for unnecessary permissions like location, contacts, mic and camera, photo gallery and activity access on the pretext that it will ensure a personalized and optimized experience.

Ask yourself – what information do you frequently access from the internet and what exactly will you use the app for? Based on this, grant only necessary permissions to the websites and apps you use.

Warning signs parents should never ignore

You don’t need to panic seeing that there are too many digital risks of using parenting apps and devices. Your composure matters a lot in handling any data safety risk smartly. When using smart baby products and parenting apps, look for these warning signs and act as per the situation.

• Products with vague privacy policies
• Devices from unreliable manufacturers/providers
• Weak password requirements or no 2FA option
• Excessive permission requests from apps
• Poor customer reviews or ratings from verified users
• Steps parents can take to improve safety

Facts about staying safe online mention these security points that every parent should follow:

• Use strong and unique passwords for all smart baby devices and apps
• Update software and firmware whenever an update is rolled out
• Secure your home Wi-Fi networks with encryption
• Disable all unnecessary permissions and features on apps
• Always go for products from reputed manufacturers and app providers
• Review privacy settings before and press ‘I Agree’ only if you are sure of their reliability

Conclusion

Parenting should bring joy and keep you stress-free. It does not have to be a situation where you are constantly worried about your baby’s online data. It’s important to follow the best online safety products and the most important point when doing that is to trust only reputed apps and devices.