In the daily life of parents, situations where one hand holds the shopping and the other holds a child are frequent. In such moments, using a phone can be challenging. Technologies operated by voice commands come to the rescue, potentially making life much easier for parents. But are they safe, and how can they be used effectively?
Many modern devices on the market, including smartphones and smart speakers, offer voice control features that are gaining popularity with the increasing demand for convenience and hands-free technology operation. A 2022 report by NASK showed that more and more families find such solutions useful in daily chores. According to the data, the use of voice technology in Poland has increased by 15% over the past two years, which indicates growing interest and adaptation of these technological novelties (NASK Report "Technologies in Polish homes", 2022).
Voice commands not only allow the management of home devices but also assist with tasks such as setting navigation, reminders, and even making calls without the need for hands. As noted by Prof. Jolanta Zawadzka in her article published in "Psychology in Practice" in 2022, using such technologies can reduce parental stress, allowing for more efficient time and task management (Zawadzka, 2022).
However, attention should be paid to personal data security issues in the context of using voice assistants. The Data Protection Office warns that improper data management can lead to privacy breaches. There are rules that help secure your privacy, such as regularly reviewing device privacy settings and activity logs (UODO, "Technology and privacy", 2023).
For parents, the most important thing is the balance between convenience and safety. Regularly educating oneself on device security features and using reliable sources of information on technology can help in smoothly and safely using technological novelties.
In case of difficulties related to technology or personal data processing, one can seek advice from specialists in institutions such as the Data Protection Office or the Give Kids Strength Foundation.
Sources
- NASK, Report "Technologies in Polish homes", 2022
- Zawadzka, J. (2022). Voice commands in family life. Psychology in Practice.
- Data Protection Office, "Technology and privacy", 2023