Are you being pestered to add a digital member to your household? Our blog this week looks at the role of digital assistants and how best to keep your child safe when it comes to using them. Digital assistants are a growing part of everyday life. These are better known by their titles, the most popular of these being Siri, Amazon Echo and Google Home. So, what exactly is a Digital Assistant and what do you need to be aware of as a parent when it comes to keeping your child safe? A digital assistant, sometimes called a smart speaker, is a piece of voice activated software that can carry out a range of tasks for you based on your command. You can ask a digital assistant questions relating to everything from the weather to recipe suggestions. Essentially, digital assistants are designed to become intuitive over time based on the information you provide. The ultimate aim is that they will be able to predict the best possible match to your request. The more you use a digital assistant, the more exact the match and the assistant will become familiar with the things you like. Sounds very helpful doesn’t it? In an age of schedules and where time is at a premium a digital assistant can certainly be a help, but there are a few things to bear in mind, especially if your children see you using a digital assistant and want to join in. As we mentioned earlier digital assistants will record the commands you ask them to carry out. This is so they can store a bank of common requests, understand your accent better and ultimately perform better the more you use it. It’s important that you know that these requests are then stored on a remote server and it’s still unclear whether the data is then shared onto third parties for other purposes. If you’re not happy with this data being stored there is a way that you can delete the data. This will depend on which digital assistant you are using. Once a digital assistant is powered on it will be listening for instruction. There have recently been media reports that a digital assistant was recording the conversations of a family and then that information was allegedly accessed by a third party. Obviously, developments like this are of concern. Little is known about what happens to data that is passed to third parties where lots of digital devices are concerned.  Hopefully, ongoing developments in data protection will be a step in the right direction when it comes to the management and protection of personal data transferred via technology.  The most important thing to do if you are considering purchasing and using a digital assistant is to have an age appropriate conversation with your child about the fact that at the end of the day the digital assistant is a device that stores information and to exercise caution in the kind of requests they make via the assistant. It is also important to know that there is a mute button that can be found either on the top or at the back of the device. Encourage all the family to regularly mute the device when it is not in use. It’s also a good idea to turn off the location settings and to place a password on the device to make sure that children are safe and are not able to do things like make purchases. Remember there is no substitute for face to face communication and while technology can enhance our lives, we need to exercise a degree of caution in relation to the information we share in the digital world and encourage and support our children to do the same.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are Digital Assistants Safe for Kids? | Zeeko Explores

Digital assistants can be safe for children when used with proper supervision and settings in place. However, they collect and store voice data, which means parents need to understand privacy settings, data storage, and how the device functions before allowing children to use it freely.

2. What is a digital assistant?

A digital assistant (also known as a smart speaker) is voice-activated software that responds to spoken commands. Popular examples include:

  • Siri

  • Amazon Echo

  • Google Home

These tools can answer questions, provide weather updates, suggest recipes, play music, and carry out a range of everyday tasks.

3. How do digital assistants collect and store information?

Digital assistants record voice commands to improve accuracy and personalise responses. These recordings are typically stored on remote servers. While this improves functionality, it also raises questions about how long data is stored and whether it may be shared with third parties.

4. What privacy risks should parents be aware of?

Once powered on, digital assistants listen for activation commands. There have been reports of devices recording conversations unintentionally. Parents should understand:

  • Voice data may be stored remotely

  • Data storage policies vary by provider

  • Some information may be shared with third parties

Understanding privacy settings is essential when asking, Are Digital Assistants Safe for Kids? | Zeeko Explores.

5. Can you delete stored voice recordings?

Yes. Most digital assistants allow users to review and delete stored recordings through account settings. The exact process depends on the device and provider. Regularly checking and deleting stored data can enhance privacy.

6. How can parents make digital assistants safer for children?

There are several simple steps parents can take:

  • Use the mute button when the device is not in use

  • Turn off location settings

  • Set up strong passwords

  • Disable purchasing features

  • Monitor how the device is being used

These precautions help reduce risks and improve safety in the home.

7. Should children be allowed to use digital assistants independently?

This depends on the child’s age and maturity level. It’s important to have age-appropriate conversations about what information is safe to share. Children should understand that a digital assistant is a device that stores information—not a person.

8. Do digital assistants replace human interaction?

No. While they can be helpful tools for busy households, they are not a substitute for face-to-face communication. Technology should enhance daily life, not replace real-world relationships.

9. What is the most important takeaway for parents?

If you are asking, Are Digital Assistants Safe for Kids? | Zeeko Explores, the key message is balance and awareness. Understand how the device works, adjust the settings appropriately, and maintain open conversations with your child about digital privacy and safety.

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