EIE Releases "Naught & Nice" List of Holiday Gifts for Children and Teens
 

“For anyone holiday shopping for children and teens, no doubt many of the gifts on their lists include technology. However, internet-connected tech gifts arrive with hidden costs to youth: anxiety, sleep loss, social pressures, addictive algorithms, exposure to sexually-explicit content, predators, traffickers, sextortionists, and addictions. The so-called ‘reward’ of tech does not outweigh the risks. Our ‘Naughty & Nice’ List gives a much-needed guide of gifts to buy and to avoid,” said Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO, Enough Is Enough^®.

Here is Enough Is Enough^®’s Naughty & Nice List of Holiday Gifts for Children & Teens:

Naughty List

1. AI toys – Many children’s toys have started to embed chatbots in them. These toys may seem trustworthy, however, recent news reports that AI toys have told children where to find knives, light a match, and even had sexually explicit conversations with an innocent child.
2. Apple or Android smartphones - At the very foundation, an internet-connected device is literally handing a child the world – no guardrails, no safety net, no filters. Predators use social media and even online gaming sites to groom children. Apps are frequently mis-rated and can enable children to access harmful and sexually explicit content.
3. Roblox gift cards – Roblox, a gaming platform extremely popular with children, enables predators to groom children, often contains violence and sexual content and is facing over 35 lawsuits as a result. Hindenburg Research described Roblox as an “x-rated pedophile’s hellscape.” Read EIE’s Online Gaming Safety Settings Guide  to learn more.
4. Smartwatches not designed for kids – Children can access the internet on smartwatches which means they can access any kind of harmful content, and as such, are in the same category as smartphones.
5. Virtual Reality headsets - A parent’s worst nightmare was confirmed at a congressional hearing where two Meta whistleblowers testified that if their children have used Meta’s Virtual Reality devices, they have likely been sexually exploited.

Nice List

1. Gifts that encourage creative outdoor play – Kids love toys with wheels like hoverboards, scooters, trikes and bikes. Outdoor play will be a highlight with water or sand tables, racquet sets, or other sports equipment.
2. Non tech toys – Encourage screen-free time with new books, board games, Lego, puzzles, and more. Teens love new clothes.
3. Music – The gift of music can foster a lifelong interest. Consider buying musical instruments, sheet music or accessories, purchasing lessons, or going to a local orchestra or concert. For younger children, consider toy music sets.
4. Outings and Adventures - Children and teens will relish time spent with their families taking a cooking class, going bowling, go karting, trying out an “axe-throwing” venue, or visiting a retro arcade. Some families have successfully planned a place to visit or vacation together.
5. Safe phones – If your child or teen needs a phone, consider purchasing phones from Gabb or Bark that are not connected to the internet and designed for kid’s safety. Read EIE’s Guide for Smartphones for Children and Teens to learn more.