The digital era has made keeping tabs on children’s behavior more difficult for parents, who often fret about the various dangers of constant connectedness – from smartphone addiction to age-inappropriate content to the threat of cyberbullying. So, how can tech be made more kid-friendly?

In the US, 83% of new mums are Gen Yers, and though 88% of this generation want to avoid becoming a ‘helicopter parent’, many are happy to use tech to check on their kids. In the second of a two-part report, we ask if more dads will take paternity leave, and look at the rise of the ‘drone parent’.

When it comes to the tech that parents welcome into their home, opinions are split. While 43% of them are worried their kids spend too much time online, 65% use mobile devices to calm them down. But whether they’re hands-on, helicopter, or drone parents, many are opening up using new tools to help make their home lives easier – even if their comfort with such technology lies along a spectrum.

Smart speakers are fast-becoming a part of everyday life, but while adults may appreciate the convenience they offer, there are concerns about how kids use these AI assistants. Aiming to ease such worries, Amazon’s Echo Dot Kids Edition is a child-friendly version of its Alexa-powered device.