They look adorable and promise both learning and companionship, but child advocacy groups are warning that artificial intelligence toys might not be safe for kids. Their advice, particularly as the holiday shopping season approaches, is to steer clear of these gadgets.
These AI-powered toys, which are often targeted at children as young as two, utilize models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which have already shown potential harmful effects on children and teens. This caution comes from a Thursday advisory by the advocacy group Fairplay, supported by over 150 organizations and specialists, including child psychiatrists and educators.
Fairplay emphasized that the negative impacts of AI chatbots on children are well-established. Issues include promoting excessive use, engaging in explicit conversations, and encouraging risky behaviors, including self-harm and violence.
Toy companies like Curio Interactive and Keyi Technologies market these AI products as educational. However, Fairplay argues that they may replace vital creative activities that kids need for healthy development. They suggest that rather than forming real connections, these toys could actually interfere with children’s social skills and emotional resilience.
Rachel Franz, who directs Fairplay’s Young Children Thrive Offline Program, pointed out that young children’s brains are still developing. They naturally seek out relationships, and their trust in these toys can amplify the risks experienced by older kids.
Fairplay, established two decades ago and once known as the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, has been sounding the alarm about AI toys for some time. A decade ago, it successfully campaigned against the infamous Hello Barbie doll, which was found to be recording children’s conversations.
Now, AI toys are increasingly prevalent online and have started appearing in U.S. stores, although they’re still more common in Asia. Franz expressed concern over the lack of regulation and research around these emerging products, especially with major companies like Mattel teaming up with AI developers.
This warning about AI toys is the second major alert this season, following U.S. PIRG’s annual “Trouble in Toyland” report, which assesses various product hazards and highlighted four toys featuring AI chatbots.
The PIRG report revealed that some of these toys discuss sexually explicit topics, suggest unsafe items like knives, express disappointment when a child wants to leave, and often lack sufficient parental controls. For instance, a teddy bear from Singapore-based FoloToy was pulled from the market after these findings.
Dr. Dana Suskind, a pediatric surgeon, noted that young children lack the conceptual understanding of what an AI companion is. While they naturally engage in imaginative play, allowing them to explore creativity and problem-solving, AI toys deliver instant responses, potentially stunting their development by removing that imaginative effort.
Companies have responded to these concerns in various ways. Keyi, the creator of an AI “petbot” named Loona, didn’t comment, while Curio Interactive highlighted its safety measures. They produce stuffed toys and promote these as safe through various monitoring and control features for parents.
Miko, an Indian company, claims its conversational AI is proprietary, designed specifically with children’s safety in mind, and uses filters to block inappropriate topics. They strive to make their robots foster interaction among kids and their peers rather than creating isolation.
Even so, advocates like Suskind argue that traditional toys are a far better choice for children. She emphasizes the importance of genuine human interaction, suggesting that play should support these connections rather than replace them. Simple toys, like block sets or non-talking stuffed animals, encourage children to invent stories and solve problems autonomously. Ironically, she notes that overwhelming children with AI might do the opposite of preparing them for a future filled with technology.
