The Stressed Parent's Guide To Technology At Christmas
What you need to know about video games, AI toys, robots, cameras, phones and wearables. A 15-minute to-do list.
Christmas morning is magical, but as the new devices come out of their boxes, most parents feel a sudden sinking feeling, “How do I keep this safe?”
Don’t worry. You don’t need to be a tech expert to stay in control. A few simple steps can make almost every device safer, calmer, and easier for your child to enjoy.
This guide gives you the essentials, some simple steps without being overwhelming.
Video Games
The real issue isn’t violence, it’s the three S’s: Strangers, Spending, and Sleep.
What to know
Many popular games include voice or text chat by default.
Almost all major titles now include spending mechanics (skins, passes, loot boxes).
Online matches can run late into the night, disrupting sleep, learning and behaviour.
What to do
Turn off voice chat or set it to friends only.
Disable in-game purchases or add a password for spending.
Agree a simple rule: “one more match, then off.” Kids usually respond well to consistency and boundaries.
Phones & Tablets
A new phone is the biggest leap in independence a child will likely have before adulthood, they just don’t know it.
What to know
Default settings leave children open to adult content, strangers, and location sharing.
Social media and gaming accounts can be created in seconds.
YouTube and TikTok algorithms move very fast, from innocent content to inappropriate within just minutes.
What to do
Turn on family controls (Apple Family Sharing, Google Family Link, Amazon Parent Dashboard).
Switch off location sharing unless absolutely needed.
Set YouTube to “Restricted Mode” and disable autoplay.
Add a screen-time passcode that only you know.
AI Toys & Robots
A whole new breed of toys and child tech now incorporates AI, internet connected cameras and microphones - and they may have little to no safety features.
What to know
Some AI toys can record audio or store data online.
“Smart companions” can give emotional responses that feel real to younger children.
Many connect to open servers or cloud accounts.
What to do
Check if the toy has a microphone and whether recordings are stored.
Turn off cloud features unless they’re essential.
Teach and remind your child, “Robots don’t keep secrets. Robots don’t need personal details.”
Cameras, Smart Speakers & Home Devices
Most risk here is accidental: posting, sharing, or being overheard.
What to know
Kids love filming everything, often without understanding where it might end up.
Smart speakers can accidentally record private conversations.
Devices like GoPros, kids’ drones and webcams may auto-upload footage.
What to do
Turn off auto-upload to cloud services.
Set clear rules about where cameras can be used (e.g not in our bedrooms or bathrooms).
Switch smart speakers to “Kids Mode” or mute the microphone when not in use.
Wearables (Watches, Trackers, Health Bands)
Useful for peace of mind, but they quietly collect a lot of data.
What to know
Children’s smartwatches often share location data with third-party servers.
Some allow calling or messaging through unsecured networks.
Health trackers collect data that feels harmless but is still highly personal.
What to do
Use parent-only contact lists.
Turn off location sharing when your child is at home or school.
Choose watches with no open messaging if possible.
The Golden Rule: Start Simple
Kids don’t need everything switched on. Begin with the basics, and you’ll be able to prevent most problems before they even show up:
No open chats
No automatic spending
No location sharing
No autoplay
No unsupervised accounts
Camera boundaries
A predictable routine such as “devices off at 8pm during the holidays”
Small changes can make a big difference in the long run.
A Quick Christmas Setup Checklist
You can do all of these in under 15 minutes:
Create or check parental controls
Disable in-game spending
Turn off open chat
Set age-appropriate app limits
Check camera and microphone permissions
Review privacy settings
Talk to your child: “If something makes you uncomfortable, tell me. We will never be angry, and you’re never in trouble.”
Finally… You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
Christmas is chaos. Children will spend more time on screens, and that’s OK.
What matters is that you set simple boundaries, be curious about what they’re doing and keep communication open. You don’t need to micromanage, just guide.
If you take one action, make it this:
Turn off features your child doesn’t need.
This alone solves 80% of common problems.