BBB: Tech-savvy tools pose new threat for kids

GPS-connected smart watches are among a growing trend of online devices marketed as keeping children safe and providing parents peace of mind. Ironically, those same devices also may give predators a new way to track children’s location, steal their data, and send deceptive information to parents, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The $4.8 billion smart-watch industry is expected to double within the next four years. This technology can help parents by delivering alerts when their kids leave a designated area, listen in on their conversations, and view their locations in real time. But parents also need to beware of the potential risks.

“Educating consumers about threats to their personal information is one of BBB’s top priorities,” said Tyler Andrew president and chief executive officer of the BBB’s Northwest and Pacific Region. “We want to remind parents that smart watches and technology with online capabilities open up new doors for scammers to reach children.”

The consumer protection organization recommends the following tips to protect kids using smart watches and any other internet- and GPS-connected devices:

- Check for a privacy policy. Children’s privacy laws require that online devices marketed to kids include a privacy policy. If you can’t find one, then find another device.

- Give approval. Parental approval is needed before an online device that targets kids can begin collecting their data. Parents who suspect their children’s information has been taken without their consent should contact to the Federal Trade Commission.

- Keep devices current. Downloading and installing the most up-to-date software available can help fix bugs and halt privacy issues on devices that users may not even know exist.

For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands,?and?charities they can trust. In 2017, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at?bbb.org.