AI Pets and Smart Toys: Are They Spying on Your Kids? A Parent’s Guide

Your kid’s new robotic puppy might be adorable—but could it also be listening?

You’re at the kitchen table, scrolling through your phone while your 7-year-old giggles in the living room. Their new AI pet—a fluffy, voice-activated robot dog—just told a knock-knock joke. It’s cute. It’s interactive. It’s exactly the kind of toy that makes modern parenting feel like living in a sci-fi movie.

But then you wonder: How much is this thing actually hearing?

Smart toys and AI pets are everywhere now. From Amazon’s Astro (a rolling robot that follows your kid around) to SwitchBot’s AI companions (which respond to voice commands like a futuristic Furby), these gadgets are designed to feel like part of the family. And that’s the problem. Because just like your smartphone or smart speaker, they’re often always listening—and sometimes, they’re sending what they hear to the cloud.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to keep your kids safe. Here’s what parents need to know about the privacy risks hiding in your child’s new favorite toy—and how to stop them.

(For a deeper dive into how kids’ data gets collected online, check out our Complete Guide to Online Privacy.)

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How AI pets and smart toys actually work

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Imagine your kid’s AI pet is like a smartphone… but with fur, buttons, or a cute robotic face. These toys aren’t just plastic and circuits—they’re packed with technology that lets them interact, learn, and even "grow" with your child.

Here’s what’s inside most of them:

• Microphones and cameras: To respond to voice commands, recognize faces, or even take photos (yes, some toys have tiny cameras).
• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: To download updates, sync with apps, or "learn" new tricks (like remembering your kid’s favorite game).
• Sensors: To detect motion, light, or even your child’s touch (so the toy knows when it’s being played with).

The "AI" part just means the toy uses software to seem smarter. For example, SwitchBot’s AI pet might record snippets of your kid’s voice to improve its responses over time—just like how Alexa or Siri get better at understanding you the more you use them.

But here’s the catch: These toys aren’t perfect. They can mishear commands, record accidental conversations, or even get hacked. Think of it like a parrot that repeats what it hears… except this one might send those words to a company’s servers.

Not all smart toys are equally risky. A $20 robotic dinosaur that roars when you press its paw? Probably fine. But a toy that syncs to an app, has a camera, or responds to voice commands? That’s where things get tricky.

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What data are these toys collecting? (And why it matters)

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You might be thinking: Okay, but what’s the big deal if a toy records my kid saying "I love pizza"?

The problem isn’t just what these toys record—it’s how much they record, where that data goes, and who might get access to it. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of data smart toys collect—and why parents should care.

1. Voice recordings

Why? To respond to commands (like "Tell me a story!") or improve speech recognition.

The risk: If a toy records your kid saying their name, school, or even a parent’s work schedule, that info could be stored—and potentially hacked. In 2017, CloudPets stuffed animals leaked 2 million voice recordings of kids online. Some of those recordings included personal details like names and addresses.

Real-world analogy: It’s like leaving a voice recorder running in your kid’s room—except you didn’t realize it was there.

2. Location data

Why? Some toys use GPS or Wi-Fi to "know" where they are. For example, Amazon’s Astro can follow your kid around the house, or a toy might use location to suggest nearby parks for playdates.

The risk: If a hacker accesses this data, they could track your child’s routine—like when they’re home alone or walking to school.

Real-world analogy: It’s like a GPS tracker in your kid’s backpack… but one you didn’t realize was there.

3. Personal details

Why? Toys with apps or accounts might ask for your child’s name, age, birthday, or even photos. Some even encourage kids to create profiles with their favorite colors, foods, or hobbies.

The risk: This data could be sold to advertisers, used to target your kid with ads, or exposed in a data breach. In 2015, VTech (a popular kids’ toy company) was hacked, exposing 6.4 million kids’ data, including photos and chat logs.

Real-world analogy: It’s like filling out a survey about your kid’s life—and then realizing the company sold that info to marketers.

4. Behavioral data

Why? Some toys track how kids play—like which games they like, how long they interact with the toy, or even their mood (based on voice tone).

The risk: Companies might use this data to recommend products, share it with third parties, or build detailed profiles of your child’s habits.

Real-world analogy: It’s like a toy that takes notes on your kid’s personality—and then uses those notes to sell them stuff.

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Red flags: How to spot a risky smart toy

Not all smart toys are created equal. Some are designed with privacy in mind, while others seem to treat your kid’s data like a free-for-all. Here’s how to spot the risky ones before you buy.

❌ No privacy policy (or it’s hard to find)

If a toy’s website doesn’t clearly explain how it uses data, that’s a warning sign. A good privacy policy should tell you:

• What data the toy collects.
• How that data is stored and protected.
• Whether the data is shared with third parties.

Pro tip: Before buying, search the toy’s name + "privacy policy." If you can’t find one, or if it’s full of legal jargon, think twice.

❌ Always-on microphones or cameras

Some toys are always listening—even when they’re not in use. For example, Amazon’s Astro has a microphone that’s always on, waiting for commands like "Hey Astro."

How to test: Try saying the toy’s wake word (like "Hey [toy name]"). If it responds, it’s always listening.

Red flag: Toys that glow, make noise, or show a light when they’re "listening" (like Amazon Echo’s blue ring).

❌ Sketchy app permissions

If a toy requires an app, check what permissions it asks for. Avoid toys that want access to:

• Contacts (why does a toy need your phone’s address book?)
• Location (unless it’s a GPS-based toy, like a smartwatch)
• Photos or camera (unless it’s a toy that takes pictures, like a kid-friendly camera)

Analogy: Would you let a stranger ask your kid 20 personal questions? That’s what some of these apps do.

❌ Poor security history

Before buying, do a quick search for "[toy name] hack" or "[toy name] data breach." If the toy has a history of security issues, it’s probably not worth the risk.

Examples of past breaches:

• CloudPets (2017): Leaked 2 million voice recordings of kids.
• VTech (2015): Exposed 6.4 million kids’ data, including photos and chat logs.
• Hello Barbie (2015): Had a security flaw that let hackers eavesdrop on kids.

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How to keep your kids safe: 5 easy steps

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels

You don’t need to ban smart toys entirely—but you do need to be smart about how you use them. Here’s how to minimize the risks without turning into a tech paranoid.

1. Turn off "always listening" features

Many smart toys have a physical mute button or a setting to disable voice commands. For example, SwitchBot’s AI pet has a mute switch that turns off the microphone completely.

How to do it:

• Look for a physical mute button on the toy.
• Check the toy’s app for voice command settings (and turn them off if you don’t need them).

Analogy: It’s like putting a toy on "silent mode"—just like your phone.

2. Use a separate Wi-Fi network for toys

If a toy gets hacked, you don’t want hackers accessing your main network (where your laptop, phone, and smart home devices live). The solution? Set up a guest network just for toys.

How to do it:

• Log in to your router’s settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 into your browser).
• Look for a guest network option (most routers have one).
• Connect the toy to the guest network instead of your main Wi-Fi.

Pro tip: If your router doesn’t have a guest network, consider buying a cheap Wi-Fi extender with guest network support.

3. Limit what you share

When setting up a toy’s app, skip optional fields like your kid’s real name, birthdate, or school. Use a nickname instead (e.g., "Alex" instead of "Alexander Smith").

Other ways to limit data sharing:

• Turn off personalized ads in the toy’s app settings.
• Avoid linking the toy to social media accounts (like Facebook or Google).
• Delete old recordings if the toy lets you (some, like Amazon’s Astro, allow this).

Analogy: It’s like filling out a form at the doctor’s office—you only give the info that’s absolutely necessary.

4. Update the toy’s software regularly

Just like your phone, smart toys get software updates that fix security holes. If you ignore these updates, you’re leaving the toy vulnerable to hackers.

How to do it:

• Check the toy’s app or website for firmware updates every few months.
• Enable automatic updates if the toy offers them.

Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone to check for updates every 3 months.

5. Teach kids the "Toy Rules"

Kids aren’t born knowing how to stay safe online. Teach them simple rules for interacting with smart toys, like:

• "Don’t tell the toy your address, school, or passwords."
• "If the toy asks weird questions, come get me!"
• "The toy isn’t a secret keeper—don’t tell it things you wouldn’t tell a stranger."

Script for younger kids: "This toy is fun, but it’s not a real friend. It doesn’t need to know where you live or what your favorite color is. If it asks for that stuff, tell me right away!"

Analogy: It’s like teaching them not to talk to strangers—just for robots.

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What to do if you’re already using a risky toy

Already bought a smart toy and now you’re worried? Don’t panic. Here’s how to minimize the risks after the fact.

1. Audit the toy’s settings

Go into the toy’s app and check for:

• Data-sharing options (turn off anything you don’t need).
• Voice recording settings (delete old recordings if possible).
• Parental controls (some toys let you restrict certain features).

Example: Amazon’s Astro lets you review and delete voice recordings in the app.

2. Factory reset before selling or gifting

If you’re done with the toy, factory reset it before selling or donating it. This wipes all the data stored on the toy, including voice recordings and personal info.

How to do it:

• Check the toy’s manual or app for factory reset instructions.
• If you can’t find them, do a quick search for "[toy name] factory reset."

Pro tip: If you’re selling the toy online, mention in the listing that it’s been reset.

3. Monitor for strange behavior

If a toy starts acting weird—like turning on by itself, making strange noises, or connecting to Wi-Fi when it shouldn’t—it might be hacked.

What to do:

• Unplug the toy (if it’s plugged in).
• Disconnect it from Wi-Fi (go into your router settings and block its MAC address).
• Contact the manufacturer to report the issue.

Analogy: It’s like if your kid’s stuffed animal started talking to them at 3 a.m.—time to investigate!

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Key takeaways

• AI pets and smart toys are like smartphones for kids—they can record, track, and even share data.
• The biggest risks are voice recordings, location data, and personal details being stored or hacked.
• Red flags include always-on microphones, no privacy policy, and sketchy app permissions.
• You can minimize risks by muting the toy, using a guest Wi-Fi network, and limiting shared data.
• Teach kids simple rules, like not sharing personal info with the toy.
• If you’re already using a risky toy, audit its settings and factory reset it before selling.

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A quick word on keeping your family’s data private

Smart toys aren’t the only thing collecting data about your family. From school apps to social media, your kids’ digital footprint is growing every day. If you want to take control of your family’s online privacy, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help.

At GhostShield, we designed our VPN with families in mind. It encrypts your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers (or nosy toys) to snoop on your data. Plus, it works on all your devices—phones, tablets, even smart TVs—so you can protect your whole household with one subscription.

If you’re curious, you can check out GhostShield’s plans here. No tech degree required—just peace of mind.

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Final thought: You don’t have to be a tech expert to keep your kids safe

Smart toys aren’t going away. And honestly? They can be a lot of fun. The key is to stay informed, set boundaries, and teach your kids how to interact with them safely.

You wouldn’t let a stranger follow your kid home from school. So why let a toy collect their data without a second thought?

With these simple steps, you can enjoy the benefits of AI pets and smart toys—without the creepy side effects.