New concerns over AI-powered toys and their impact on children’s safety and privacy
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence–powered toys has raised fresh concerns about children’s psychological safety and family privacy — an issue that is quickly becoming a heated topic among parents and in the media.
From Fantasy to a Complicated Reality
For years, the idea of toys coming to life has been a beloved theme in film — from the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story to the mischievous humor of the living teddy bear in Ted.
What once felt like harmless fantasy, however, is moving closer to reality as AI technology advances — and that reality is far more complicated.
Unlike those friendly fictional characters, some modern smart toys evoke darker cinematic memories, such as the clown doll in Poltergeist or the sinister character Chucky from Child’s Play.
Serious Warning About AI Toys
The U.S. nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, which monitors digital consumer products, has released a new report warning that certain AI-enabled dolls and toys generate content that is inappropriate for children. At the same time, the group says, these products collect large amounts of data, potentially violating family privacy.
Robbie Torney, head of digital evaluation at the organization, said the group’s risk assessment found fundamental problems that make many AI toys unsuitable for young children.
According to the report, more than one-quarter of the products reviewed produced inappropriate material — including references to self-harm, drugs, or dangerous behavior. Torney added that these devices rely on extensive data collection and are often built on subscription-based models that may exploit children’s emotional attachment.
Data Collection in Children’s Private Spaces
The report also states that some toys use “emotional bonding mechanisms” to create friendship-like relationships with children. At the same time, they gather significant amounts of data from children’s private environments, including recorded audio files, text conversations, and behavioral information.
Common Sense Media recommends that no child under the age of five should have access to AI-powered toys. Parents of children aged 6 to 12 are urged to use extreme caution.
James Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, warned: “We still lack effective safeguards to protect children from artificial intelligence.”
He compared the situation to the strict safety testing required for traditional toys before they reach the market — standards that, he argues, have not yet been adequately applied to AI-based products.
From: Common Sense Media