Screen-shunning parents turn to audio toys

Alone in her bedroom, six-year-old Emilia laughs at jokes told by kids on the other side of the world and listens to stories told by a lively adult voice.

The tales and gags – many baffling to adult ears – are emitted by a Yoto player, one of a growing class of sound-only gadgets for young children.

Devices offering entertaining and educational audio content are increasingly sought out by parents keen to keep their offspring from overdosing on screens.