We all know the Elf on the Shelf can be a little naughty, but researchers have a more sinister warning involving Santa’s little helper, saying the Christmas buddy normalises a surveillance culture.

“Increasingly, kids are expecting their toys to become devices which watch them and talk back in particular ways, it’s not just about Elf on the Shelf…. it’s more about this idea that if kids get used to the idea that their toys are supposed to be watching them and reporting back, how does that differ when they start to think about internet connected toys, how does that differ when they start to think about the smart speakers in our house that are reporting back to google,” Dr Tama Leaver told 6PR Breakfast.

Listener Jan called to say her grandkids don’t have any device activated toys, but they do have an elf and it’s a lot of fun for the entire family.

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