Toys that "spy" on kids are reportedly on the rise

TOP OF MIND

They aren't making these at the North Pole
Still deciding on what to give your kids for Christmas? Well, a batch of consumer advocacy groups, known collectively as the US Public Interest Research Group Education Fund (PIRG), are warning parents to look out for toys that might be spying on our children.

In their 38th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report, they note that "smart toys" aren't inherently bad, the problems come up with those toys are connected to the internet.

And it's not just phones and tablets you have to watch out for, even dolls and stuffed animals can be programmed with this "smart" technology.

The important bits
The market for "smart toys" is growing at a steady pace. In 2022, the global market for these toys was $14.1 million, and this year it's expected to be around $17 million. By 2027, experts believe it'll be nearing $30 million.

But as mentioned above, not all smart toys are bad, so how do you know what to watch out for? Well, PIRG has its own checklist, which includes toys that have microphones, cameras, internet compatibility, Bluetooth connection and does it ask to collect personal information?

Advocacy groups started sounding the alarm on these toys seven years ago after a security flaw was found inside Fisher Price's Smart Toy Bear. The bear was promoted as an "interactive learning friend that talks and remembers," unfortunately due to the security flaw, the bear wasn't the only one listening and remembering.

And it's not just toys. Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice accused Amazon of violating children's privacy laws when it refused to delete voice recordings of children who had used its Alexa device. A fun game your family can play is to ask Alexa "who is talking right now?" and she'll likely be able to name you based on your voice alone, provided your name is connected to the account.

What's it all mean?
Well, look, we don't want to scare you. If your kid has a "smart toy" in their bedroom, that doesn't mean they're secretly being brainwashed by Jeff Bezos. They're not gonna go out and get "Amazon <3" tattooed on their forehead. Most of the time, this "spying" is related to data collection. Basically, these companies want to start making money off us from an even younger age.

It's why some people believe companies should be paying us for the data they collect.

But until that happens, the best thing you can do is research before you buy. Take a look at the privacy policies (ugh, we know) and make sure you fully understand how the toy or device works before handing it to your kid.

DID YOU HEAR

Is this stick equipped with Bluetooth technology? 
You know what can't spy on your children? A stick and a rock, and both of those items can be found outside... for free! And according to at least some experts, outside is where your kids should be anyway. Find out how playing outside builds self-confidence in kids.

How was school?
Chances are, if you have a kid that's school age, you've asked them, "How was school?" hundreds of times. And 99% of the time, their reply is some variation of, "I dunno," as if they weren't even present. Well, turns out, you're asking the wrong question. Psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos says instead of simply asking how their day went, you should instead take note of their demeanor and go off that.

If they seem happy, you could say, "You look so happy! Something fun must have happened today!" 

Finally, a skincare line for (trust fund) babies!
Luxury brand Dior just launched a skincare line for babies, and it's absolutely ridiculous. They offer a bottle of "scented water" for $230 and a "hydrating milk" moisturizer that will set you back $115. But with our special discount code... just kidding, we'd never. Here are some much more affordable options.

A simple way to save premature babies
New research shows that if doctors wait at least two minutes after birth to clamp the umbilical cord, they can significantly improve in-hospital survival rates for premature infants. The intervention, known as delayed cord clamping, is still being researched, but the early data is very promising.

Can you make a baby in space?
We'll soon know.

Thank you
... to everyone who participated in our giveaway last week! Our $100 gift card winner Chandra H. has been notified today via the email they signed up with. And if you didn't win, don't worry — more giveaways will be coming in the future!

A DOSE OF THANKSGIVING

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Probably not. No one is ever ready to mash 10 pounds of potatoes while listening to Uncle Ronan rant about chemtrails from the living room.

But maybe we can help with these 10 sanity-saving Thanksgiving hacks, or these last minute Thanksgiving tricks from TikTok users.

You can find out what 9 store-bought Thanksgiving shortcuts chefs love/hate here.

And if Thanksgiving goes really awry, you'll need these 9 ways to get rid of the smell of burnt food from your kitchen!

Finally, take a look at this fun article to find out what role you'll play at Thanksgiving based on your zodiac sign.

JUST FOR YOU

Bites: It’s a hubris to think that we could do a better job than Bon Appetit, NY Times Cooking, Delish, The Food Network, or All Recipes in curating a list of recipes that will help you make use of all those Thanksgiving leftovers. So we won’t. Our suggestion to you, especially if you are the I-hate-leftovers type: send it all home with your guests.

Deals: Black Friday is basically here, and that means you're being bombarded with an endless amount of emails and texts, but where can you find a curated list of all the best deals? You can start here and here.

Betterments: Ah, sleep. It's hard to come by, especially during this busy time of the year, but it's perhaps the most important thing you can do to improve both your mental and physical health. But let's say you just can't get a good night's rest, there are still ways to salvage the rest of the day (yes, power naps make the list).

PARENTING WIN/FAIL

This week, loyal reader Megan W. talks about how she's literally raising a cookie monster. 

Megan, your secret is safe with us 🤐

If you have a parenting win/fail you'd like to share, email us at [email protected] and your story might be featured in a future edition!

HERE’S A QUESTION

RECALLS

Cantaloupe.

U.S. food safety officials are warning consumers to be mindful of the cantaloupe they're eating after three brands were hit with a salmonella recall.

Malchita, Aldi and Vinyard have all recalled a handful of fresh cantaloupe and pineapple products that were sold in at least 13 states across the country, as well as in Canada. At least 43 people have gotten sick and 17 of them had to be hospitalized. The most recent illness reported was back on November 6.

You can view a full list of products/brands to avoid here.

Also being recalled?
Nearly 250,000 Honda vehicles, due to a manufacturing defect that could cause engines to improperly run, stall or stop while driving. Check to see if your model is being impacted here.