CNIL Sees 'Real Consequences' of Using Connected Devices to Track Kids
Geolocation devices such as connected watches, toys or apps have "real consequences" for children's privacy and should be used sparingly, French data protection authority CNIL said Monday.
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Parents who want to use connected devices to keep track of their kids should balance the practical benefits against the risks of abuse, CNIL said, according to a translation. While such devices are often touted as a way to ensure that children are safe, constantly tracking their location can hurt their development and relationships.
For example, the watchdog said, tracking can limit children's autonomy and ability to assess risks, keeping them from learning to protect themselves. Some devices, like connected watches, provide physiological, social or spatial indications that allow parents to monitor how their kids are interacting in class or during an exam.
Smart devices can also affect a child's relationship with their parents, because "a feeling of constant surveillance can push the child to self-censor."
CNIL urged parents to evaluate the features of connected devices in light of their children's needs and risks. Simple communication strategies such as a phone without internet connectivity or a communication watch that works without a smartphone can help families keep in touch, CNIL said.
It recommended that parents who want to use smart devices discuss how geolocation works with their children beforehand and get consent from those old enough to understand.
In addition, devices should be chosen wisely to ensure they're privacy-protective and secure, CNIL said. Parents should buy from device makers that respect user privacy, communicate clearly about GDPR compliance and indicate the country in which they're established. For smartphone apps or smartwatches, parents should also ensure that functions such as geolocation can be disabled and protect access to the device and its services with strong passwords.
The authority noted that under French law, students in kindergarten, elementary and middle schools are prohibited from using phones or smartphones in school except in certain circumstances. The ban may also apply to a connected watch if it has the same communication capabilities as a smartphone, CNIL added.