Children’s and consumer advocacy groups are urging parents not to buy AI-powered toys during the holiday season.
Fairplay, a children’s advocacy group, warns that AI chatbots in toys can harm children by fostering obsessive use, explicit conversations, and unsafe behaviors.
AI toys marketed as educational can displace important creative and learning activities and disrupt children’s relationships and resilience.
Fairplay has been warning about AI toys for over a decade and is concerned about the lack of regulation and research in the industry.
Other experts emphasize the importance of imaginative play with traditional toys over AI companions to foster creativity and problem-solving skills in children.