December 29, 2025
Parenting today is filled with endless questions, exhaustion, and information overload. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more accessible, many...
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Tech companies collect massive amounts of data on children—often without parents realizing it. Here’s what’s happening and how you can take control.
What tech companies know about your kids
Veronica Barassi’s TEDx talk “What Tech Companies Know About Your Kids” sheds light on how tech companies track and use children’s data—sometimes before they’re even born.
1. She points out that “every day, every week, we agree to terms and conditions” that allow companies to collect our information, including details about our children. From pregnancy apps to baby monitors, tech companies gather data on families, often without clear explanations of where it goes or how it’s used.
2. Barassi highlights that before children even take their first steps, their digital footprints are already forming. Parents frequently share ultrasound images, baby milestones, and school updates online—unaware that this data can be stored, analyzed, and sold. She warns that “vast, almost unimaginable amounts of data” are being compiled, shaping how companies see and market to children before they can even speak.
3. A 2019 study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that 19 out of 24 mobile health apps analyzed shared user data with third parties. Shockingly, these third parties passed information along to 216 additional entities, including advertising companies, credit agencies, and major tech firms like Google and Facebook. “Only three belonged to the health sector,” meaning most of this data wasn’t being used for healthcare at all.
Barassi stresses that this isn’t just about marketing—it’s about profiling. Companies use artificial intelligence to predict a child’s future preferences, habits, and even potential financial behaviors based on data collected throughout their life.
What works for families who (seems to) get it right
Bridging the Opportunity Gap: Knowledge is Power
Technology can either widen or close the opportunity gap, depending on how it’s used. Many tech-savvy parents recognize this and focus on understanding technology rather than restricting it. They encourage their kids to be active users who create, experiment, and explore digital tools—rather than just passive consumers. This approach helps children develop essential digital literacy skills early on, preparing them for the tech-driven world they’ll inherit.
Why Barassi Might Have Left Out a Solution
Barassi doesn’t offer a clear solution in her talk, which might be intentional. Every family has different values, resources, and approaches to technology. A one-size-fits-all answer wouldn’t be practical. Based on what I’ve seen, the most effective approach isn’t about banning tech but about having open conversations with kids—helping them understand both the power and risks of technology.
Be SMART!
The best parents I’ve observed don’t simply impose “no screen time” rules—they work with their kids to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals around technology use. For example, instead of a vague “less YouTube,” they might agree on 30 minutes of video followed by 30 minutes of creative tech use, like coding or designing something cool online. This teaches kids self-regulation, responsibility, and balance—skills they’ll need in adulthood.
Being a Role Model for Healthy Tech Use
Kids learn by watching the adults around them. If parents constantly check their phones at the dinner table, scroll late at night, or get distracted by notifications, kids will likely do the same. The most tech-savvy parents set clear boundaries for themselves—putting phones away during family time, taking digital detox breaks, and being intentional with their own screen habits. By modeling healthy tech behavior, they teach their kids that technology is a tool, not a distraction.
Further questions for parents
1. How much of my child’s data is being collected without my knowledge?
2. Am I helping my child understand technology, or just restricting it?
3. What are some ways I can guide my child to use technology thoughtfully?
4. How do I model healthy tech habits in my own life?
5. Have I had a conversation with my child about privacy, security, and digital footprints?
Conversation starters for parents and kids
Understanding Digital Footprints
- Ask: “What do you think happens to the photos we post online?”
- Tip: Help kids understand that once something is online, it can be hard to erase.
Managing Screen Time Without a Fight
- Ask: “What’s one way we could balance entertainment and learning on your device?”
- Tip: Work together to set realistic screen time limits and tech-free zones (like during meals or before bed).
Knowing When to Step In
- Ask: “Have you ever seen something online that made you uncomfortable?”
- Tip: Create a judgment-free space for kids to share their experiences so they feel safe coming to you. Or as many GenZ put it: “We listen, we don’t judge”.
Key Takeaway
Technology is a powerful tool, but it’s up to us to teach kids how to use it wisely, safely, and intentionally.
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