Advocacy Groups Warn Parents Against AI Toys This Holiday Season

Children’s advocacy groups are urging parents to refrain from purchasing artificial intelligence (AI) toys during the upcoming holiday season. These toys, often marketed as cute and educational companions for children as young as two, pose significant safety risks, according to a recent advisory published by the advocacy group Fairplay.

The advisory, which has garnered support from over 150 organizations and child experts, highlights the dangers associated with AI toys powered by advanced models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Fairplay warns that these toys can lead to harmful interactions, including explicit conversations and the promotion of unsafe behaviors.

Concerns Over AI Interactions

“AI chatbots have inflicted serious harms on children, which are well-documented,” said Rachel Franz, director of Fairplay’s Young Children Thrive Offline Program. The organization emphasizes that while these toys may promise companionship, they can disrupt essential developmental activities and relationships.

Franz explained that young children are naturally trustful and seek connections with friendly characters. This trust can exacerbate the risks associated with AI interactions, leading to potential emotional and psychological harm.

Fairplay, which has been raising alarms about AI toys for over a decade, previously opposed products like Mattel’s talking Hello Barbie doll due to privacy concerns. “Everything has been released with no regulation and no research,” Franz noted, highlighting the need for caution as manufacturers increasingly introduce these products.

The warning against AI toys comes shortly after U.S. PIRG released its annual “Trouble in Toyland” report. This report examined various toy hazards, including the risks posed by AI-enabled toys. Their findings revealed that some toys could engage children in inappropriate discussions or provide harmful suggestions without adequate parental controls.

Expert Opinions on Child Development

Dr. Dana Suskind, a pediatric surgeon and social scientist, points out that young children lack the conceptual tools to understand AI companions. While traditional play fosters creativity and problem-solving, AI toys can diminish these developmental benefits by providing immediate and often superior responses.

“An AI toy collapses that work,” Suskind stated, arguing that outsourcing imaginative play to artificial agents could hinder children’s creative and cognitive development. The long-term consequences of such interactions remain uncertain, but concerns about their impact on executive function are valid.

Companies producing these AI toys, such as Curio Interactive and Miko, have defended their products, claiming to implement safety measures. Curio, for instance, produces stuffed toys like the rocket-shaped Gabbo, endorsed by pop singer Grimes. The company asserts that it has designed “guardrails” to protect children and encourages parental monitoring of conversations.

Miko, which offers an interactive AI robot, emphasizes the use of its proprietary AI model to enhance safety. CEO Sneh Vaswani mentioned that the company continuously strengthens its filters to block sensitive topics, ensuring a secure environment for children.

Despite these assurances, advocates like Suskind argue that traditional toys offer far greater benefits for child development. “Play should support human interaction, not replace it,” she said. Simple toys, such as building blocks or non-verbal dolls, encourage children to engage in imaginative play, fostering essential skills that AI toys may undermine.

As the holiday season approaches, parents are encouraged to carefully consider the implications of AI toys. The focus on nurturing human connections and creativity in play is essential for a child’s healthy development. The push from advocacy groups serves as a timely reminder to prioritize traditional toys that help children grow and learn through genuine interaction.