Voice assistants could ‘hinder children’s social and cognitive development’

Researchers suggest devices such as Alexa could have a long-term impact on empathy, compassion and critical thinking skills

From reminding potty-training toddlers to go to the loo to telling bedtime stories and being used as a conversation partner", voice-activated smart devices are being used to help rear children almost from the day they are born.

But the rapid rise in voice assistants, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple's Siri could, researchers suggest, have a long-term impact on children's social and cognitive development, specifically their empathy, compassion and critical thinking skills.