Technology
Hackers leak children’s data in major nursery breach
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Over the past few years, data breaches targeting schools, healthcare providers, and childcare services have been making headlines, exposing sensitive personal information and leaving families vulnerable. Now, a new breach has come to light that targets a nursery chain. Kido, which operates in the U.S., U.K., China and India, has reportedly had sensitive data stolen from thousands of children. Names, photos, addresses, birthdates, parental details and even safeguarding notes and medical records were allegedly accessed by a hacker group called Radiant.
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The incident highlights how stolen data threatens not just privacy but also long-term child safety. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know about nursery breach
According to reports, the hacker group Radiant claims to have stolen data related to around 8,000 children. To prove possession, they posted samples, including pictures and profiles of ten children, on a darknet website. They then issued a ransom demand, threatening to release more sensitive information unless Kido paid. In addition to targeting the nursery chain directly, Radiant reportedly called some of the children’s parents, pressuring them to push Kido into paying the ransom.
FBI WARNS ABOUT NEW EXTORTION SCAM TARGETING SENSITIVE DATA
When questioned about their actions, the group defended their tactics as a form of “penetration testing” for which they supposedly deserved compensation. This defense is misleading, as such testing requires explicit permission from the organization being targeted or participation in an official bug bounty program. Without that consent, these actions are illegal and deeply unethical.
Hackers exploited children’s data in the Kido breach, exposing families to serious risks. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why is this attack so disturbing?
The Kido breach is alarming for multiple reasons. First, it involves children’s data, which is particularly sensitive and legally protected in most countries. Second, the attackers combined traditional data theft with intimidation tactics, reaching out to parents directly. History suggests that once criminals gain access to such information, the attacks can escalate.
Breaches like this highlight how personal and digital security are intertwined. The potential misuse of data extends beyond simple identity theft. It can impact children’s safety, family privacy and long-term well-being. With attackers leveraging both the stolen data and psychological pressure on parents, the threat is particularly potent and long-lasting.
Parents reported being directly contacted by attackers, showing how intimidation adds to the harm. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
7 steps parents can take to protect their child’s data
Even though the investigation into the Kido breach is ongoing, parents and schools can take immediate action to protect children’s data and reduce the risk of further exploitation. Here’s a detailed guide:
1) Monitor your child’s online accounts regularly
Log in to email, school portals and cloud storage accounts linked to your child. Look for unusual activity such as unrecognized logins, changes to passwords or new connected devices. Set up notifications for account activity whenever possible so you are alerted instantly if something suspicious happens.
2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts
Adding 2FA creates an extra layer of security. Even if a hacker has a password, they won’t be able to access the account without the second verification step. Most email providers, school portals and messaging platforms support this, and it’s a simple step that dramatically improves security.
3) Consider a personal data removal service
Data broker sites often collect names, addresses and other personal details that hackers can use. Services that remove your child’s information from these databases can make it harder for attackers to find and exploit sensitive data.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com/Delete
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com/FreeScan
THINK YOU’RE SAFE? IDENTITY THEFT COULD WIPE OUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE’S SAVINGS
4) Use identity theft protection services
These services can continuously scan for your child’s personal information online and alert you if their data appears on suspicious websites or the dark web. This early warning allows you to take action before criminals attempt to exploit it.
Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at CyberGuy.com/IdentityTheft
5) Install antivirus software on all devices
A strong antivirus program protects devices from malware, phishing scams, and suspicious scripts. It is particularly important on devices that children use to access school portals or personal accounts. This ensures that if a hacker tries to use malware to get deeper access, it is blocked.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech
6) Use a secure mail provider for sensitive communications
For communications with schools, healthcare providers or any service handling sensitive information about children, consider using an email service that offers strong encryption and built-in protection against spoofing. This makes it harder for attackers to impersonate a school or parent.
For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit CyberGuy.com/Mail
7) Educate your children about online safety
Teach children not to share personal information online, including photos, addresses or school details. Encourage them to report anything suspicious and explain why it’s important to keep login information private.
Kurt’s key takeaway
Data breaches targeting children are particularly concerning because they can have long-lasting consequences. The Kido incident is a stark reminder of the importance of proactive digital security measures for families. While organizations bear responsibility for protecting sensitive data, parents can take significant steps to monitor, secure and respond to potential threats.
Have you ever reviewed what personal information about your child is online? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com/Contact
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame
Govee has announced an upgraded version of its hanging Curtain Lights Pro that can instead be used nearly anywhere you have access to an outlet or large battery. At $449.99, Govee’s new Lightwall is more than twice as expensive as the $199.99 Curtain Lights Pro, but comes with more LEDs in a denser array and a self-standing aluminum frame that can be assembled in 10 to 15 minutes without the need for any tools.
When hung from its stand the Lightwall measures 7.9 feet wide and 5.3 feet tall and features 1,536 color-changing LEDs spaced about 1.96 inches apart in a 48 x 32 grid. It’s water-resistant, and with the ability to refresh at up to 35fps the Lightwall almost sounds like it could be used as a personal backyard Jumbotron, but it’s not designed for watching TV or movies.
The Lightwall instead connects to Govee’s Home app where you can select from over 200 preset scenes and simple animations, choose from 10 different music modes that generate lighting patterns matched to beats, or synchronize its colors to other Govee lighting products to create a cohesive mood.
The app can also use AI to create custom animated GIFs from simple text prompts, or you can take matters into your own hands and create custom designs by sketching in the app with your finger and stacking up to 30 layers of doodles. The Lightwall is smart home compatible and supports Matter, too, so in addition to managing it through Govee’s app you can control it using voice commands through smart devices with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Technology
Roblox adds age-based accounts for kids and teens
‘Fox & Friends’ exclusive: Roblox CEO announces new safety measures for kids
Roblox Co-founder and CEO Dave Baszucki details new safety measures, including Kids and Select accounts, on Fox & Friends. He addresses lawsuits and concerns about predators, emphasizing age verification, content filtering, and strict communication controls to protect users. Baszucki states Roblox has “no tolerance” for bad actors and builds safety by default, allowing parents to customize chat settings for their children.
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If your child plays Roblox, they are part of a massive global audience. Roblox has reported more than 144 million daily active users, with a large share made up of kids and teens who log in to play games, create content and connect with friends. That reach is exactly why a new change rolling out in early June matters.
Roblox is introducing two new account types designed to better match what kids play and who they can talk to based on age. The shift centers on structure. Instead of one shared experience with layered controls, Roblox is building separate environments for different age groups. As a result, content, chat and parental controls will adjust automatically as a child grows.
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OPENAI TIGHTENS AI RULES FOR TEENS BUT CONCERNS REMAIN
Roblox rolls out a new AI system that analyzes entire scenes in real time to detect harmful content across its platform. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What are Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts?
Roblox is dividing younger users into two groups, each with its own rules and experience.
Roblox Kids (ages 5 to 8)
This is the most restricted environment. It is designed for younger children who need tighter guardrails.
- Access limited to games rated Minimal or Mild
- Only games that pass a three-step review process
- Chat is turned off by default
- A distinct visual design so parents can easily recognize the account
The idea here is simple. Kids see a limited version of Roblox that removes riskier content and disables communication.
Roblox Select (ages 9 to 15)
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This group gets more flexibility, but still within limits.
- Access to games rated up to Moderate
- Same multi-step game screening process
- Chat settings remain on by default in most regions
- Visual indicators show the account type
At this stage, Roblox assumes users can handle a broader range of experiences, but still keeps filters in place.
How Roblox decides what games kids can play
Not every game makes the cut. Roblox is adding a continuous evaluation system that runs behind the scenes. Here’s how it works:
1) Developer verification
Creators must verify their identity, enable two-step security and maintain a Roblox Plus subscription.
2) Real-time evaluation
Older users, age 16 and up, effectively test new games first. Roblox studies how they interact and reviews reports before exposing those games to younger players.
3) Content eligibility check
Games receive maturity ratings such as Minimal, Mild or Moderate. Certain categories, like social hangouts or free-form drawing, are excluded by default for younger users. This layered approach combines AI moderation, human review and real-world gameplay signals.
Age checks now control the entire experience
Roblox is expanding the same age-check system it introduced earlier this year for chat.
- Users under 9 Roblox Kids
- Users 9 to 15 Roblox Select
- Users 16 and older standard with Roblox account
If a user does not complete an age check, they face stricter limits. They can only access lower-rated games and cannot use chat. Once verified, the system automatically moves them into the correct account type.
Roblox officials say the new system aims to proactively protect children while maintaining gameplay for compliant users. (Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Accounts evolve as kids grow
There is no need to manually switch settings over time.
- At age 9, users move from Kids to Select
- At age 16, they move to a standard account
This automatic progression is designed to simplify things for families while keeping protections in place at each stage.
Parental controls get more precise
Roblox is also expanding what parents can do.
- Block specific games through age 15
- Manage direct chat settings until age 15
- Approve access to individual games outside default limits
- View what games kids play and who they interact with
These tools give parents more direct control instead of relying only on broad content filters.
A move toward global content ratings
Later this year, Roblox plans to align with the International Age Rating Coalition framework. That includes familiar systems like ESRB in the U.S. and PEGI in Europe. The goal is to make ratings clearer and more consistent across regions.
Why this matters to families
This update changes how Roblox works at a fundamental level. Instead of asking parents to constantly adjust settings, the platform builds age-appropriate experiences from the start. It also reflects a broader shift in tech. Platforms are under pressure to design safety into the product, not tack it on later.
As Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely, an organization focused on helping families navigate digital safety, put it:
“By combining age assurance, stronger creator accountability, and parental controls, Roblox is helping set a higher standard for how platforms can better protect younger users while preserving positive online experiences.”
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Roblox targets nuanced rule-breaking by analyzing avatars, text and environments together instead of in isolation. (JasonDoiy/Getty Images)
Roblox is not removing risk entirely. No platform can. What it is doing is tightening the structure around how kids interact with content and other players. For parents, this could make things simpler. For kids, the experience will feel more tailored to where they are in life. The bigger question is whether this becomes the norm across gaming and social platforms.
If platforms start shaping experiences based on age by default, does that improve safety or limit how kids explore and learn online? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
YouTube now lets you turn off Shorts
YouTube’s time management settings now have an option to put a zero-minute time limit on Shorts, effectively removing them from your app in Android and iOS. The option is an update to the Shorts timer YouTube originally announced in October; the lowest previous option was 15 minutes.
The feature was expanded in January to give parents some control over how long their kids spend scrolling through Shorts, with an option for zero minutes “coming soon.” According to YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller, the option to set the timer to zero is now “live for all parents, and is currently being rolled out to everyone,” including users with regular adult accounts.
Regardless of age, it can be a handy tool for anyone who wants to spend a little less time scrolling. The Shorts tab won’t show any videos once you hit your limit, just a notification that you’ve “reached your Shorts feed limit.” In our tests, hitting the time limit also removes Shorts from the Home screen, so by setting the timer to zero you can ignore Shorts entirely if you want. To turn on the timer, go to the settings in the YouTube app and select “time management” then toggle on the Shorts feed limit and select a time for it.
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