Keeping a secret is something that all children do. That could be a whispered crush, a dream about the future or a moment of frustration. Having a private space to store those thoughts can be incredibly empowering. Traditionally, diaries and journals have served this purpose; pages filled with doodles, confessions and reflections. But in today’s digital world, kids are more comfortable speaking than writing and video has become their preferred medium of expression. That’s where the Secret Creator Secret Video Journal comes in. It’s not just a toy, it’s a diary for the modern-day, technology-reliant world, a journal that lets children record their thoughts, feelings and stories in a format that feels natural, fun and safe.
Before I get into talking about this Secret Video Journal, there is an important question to be asked: Is it ever okay for children to keep secrets?
Well, while that may seem like a simple question that should be easy to answer, it is actually a bit more complicated than it seems at first glance. The simple answer is yes, it’s okay for children to keep some secrets, especially fun or harmless ones, but, and it is a big but, they must be taught the difference between safe and unsafe secrets.
Helping children understand secrecy is an important part of growing up. It helps children to develop their emotional and social skills. Children need to learn that there are “safe and unsafe secrets”. “Safe Secrets” are the secrets that are OK to keep; things such as planning a surprise party, keeping a gift hidden until a birthday or sharing a silly joke with a friend. Safe secrets can help foster trust, build friendships and give kids a sense of autonomy. These kinds of secrets are temporary and don’t involve causing anyone, or themselves, harm or discomfort.
And if there are “safe secrets” it stands to reason that there will be “unsafe secrets”, which are an entirely different matter. Children should never be asked to keep secrets that make them feel scared, uncomfortable or guilty. A helpful rule is: safe adults don’t ask kids to keep secrets. If someone says “don’t tell anyone” and it feels wrong, children should be encouraged to speak to a trusted adult such as a parent, grandparent or teacher.
Parents can support this learning by:
- Reframing secrets as “surprises” when appropriate.
- Encouraging open communication and reassuring kids they won’t get in trouble for sharing.
- Using everyday moments, like whispering with friends or hiding gifts, as teachable opportunities to talk about safe and unsafe secrets.
So, yes, children can keep secrets – but only when those secrets are fun, safe and temporary. Anything that can cause distress or involves harm should always be shared with a trusted adult. But for those “safe secrets” in our digital world, the Secret Video Journal is perfect for allowing children to chronicle their daily thoughts, surprises and yes, even those harmless secrets.
What is the Secret Video Journal? Well it looks like a book – a diary or journal, but the cover is locked and the only people who can access it can only do so if their fingerprint is registered on the device.
In the box:
- Secret Video Journal
- 32GB microSD Card
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Sticker Sheet
- Instruction Manual
Secret Creator’s Secret Video Journal is a fingerprint-locked, LED-lit, creativity-boosting device that gives kids a private, secure space to express themselves through video in a way that feels natural, fun and safe. Equipped with a 4” screen it is large enough for kids to see themselves clearly while recording. It’s equipped with 10 LED mood lights that allow users to set the tone for each entry, whether they’re feeling joyful, thoughtful or even dramatic. The addition of 15 filters and frames adds a playful layer of customisation, letting kids experiment with visual effects that match their mood or message. It has a USB-C rechargeable battery and comes with a 32GB removable memory card (can be expanded to 64GB). These features aren’t just decorative; they help children explore identity and storytelling in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate.
With its built-in fingerprint lock it ensures that only the child who owns the journal can access its contents (and they don’t need to remember any passwords or remember where they left the key). This feature is a powerful tool for helping to build trust and independence. Kids can speak freely, recording their daily videos and journal entries, knowing their videos are protected from prying eyes (yes, mum and dad, that means you). This sense of security encourages honesty and creativity, making the journal a valuable outlet for emotional expression.
Using the journal is simple. When setting up you will be asked questions such as language, date and time, and to register the users fingerprint (it is not a single press, you will need to place your finger on the scanner 8 times, for 2 second presses, to register the print). Once set up users can then turn on the mood lighting (just press the light button to cycle through the colours) and then either record a video entry, take a selfie, or go back and view previous videos and pictures. All the recordings and sorted by date and to access them you use the calendar function and select the date that you want. When recording videos (or taking a selfie) you can apply one of the filters to add a bit of style to your recordings (overlays such as Good Vibes, Secret, Love Hearts, Flowers and various frames).
To keep journaling fresh, inspiring and encouraging users to record their thoughts, the device includes a “Question of the Day” prompt (press the ? underneath the screen). Prompts such as “What made you smile today?” or “What’s something new you learned?” while appear on the screen to guide children toward meaningful entries without any pressure (and get them used to recording their thoughts).
Storage isn’t massive, but it does come with a removable 32GB microSD card (it can be expanded to 64GB), and you can obviously use different cards when one is full. This means children can keep months’ worth of entries without worrying about running out of space – a 32GB card can hold 82,000 pictures or 660 minutes of video recordings (or a combination of both).
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery and included USB-C cable make it easy to keep the journal powered and ready to use. The light on the side of the journal is orange when charging, changing to blue when fully charged (and the screen displays how much charge is left).
There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack for listening to recordings in private – there is also a built in speaker if you are not worried about others hearing what you are saying. And there is a handy little pull-out stand at the back of the journal so that it can stand upright on the desk for hands-free recording.
Overall, I think that the Secret Video Journal is fantastic, perfect for encouraging diary/journal keeping in young children. It also help to promote positive habits like self-reflection and creative expression. And it keeps the content private and secure behind a fingerprint scan to open the cover. It’s suitable for children aged 7 and up, and its intuitive design makes it easy for kids to use independently.
While it is easy to use, please note that for children that are so used to using smartphones, this doesn’t have a touch screen, all selections are made by pressing the buttons below the screen and using the cursor buttons to move around.
It has a price tag of £50, but I feel that this represents solid value for the features it includes, especially as it includes a memory card. It’s not a novelty gift, it’s a tool that supports emotional development and digital literacy. Whether used daily or occasionally, it becomes a personal archive of growth, thoughts and imagination.
The Secret Creator Secret Video Journal is a fun device that takes diary entries into the digital age, using a secure, creative space for video storytelling and empowering children to explore their inner world with confidence. The fingerprint scanner is a cool addition that keeps the device locked while still being simple to open.
A great tool for getting kids to chronicle their daily life without plastering it all over social media and gives them something to look back on in later life. It even comes with a sheet of fun stickers so that children can decorate it and personalise it more to their own tastes.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £50
Available to buy from Amazon here.
