Are AI toys safe for kids?

Grok by Curio. Kumma. Robot MINI. Miko 3. Chances are you’ve seen these names online – and if you haven’t, your kids definitely have. They’re part of a new generation of toys powered by artificial intelligence. These toys can answer questions, tell stories, remember details and hold conversations that feel surprisingly real.

For kids, they’re fascinating. For parents, they can be worrisome. These toys are designed to engage kids through conversation, learning games and emotional interaction, using AI to adapt to how a child speaks and plays. But are they safe? If you decide to introduce AI toys into your child’s play, it’s important to do so in a way that carefully balances fun, learning and digital trust.

What are AI toys?

AI toys look like regular dolls, mini robots, plushies or action figures. Except they have artificial intelligence embedded in them, so they can interact. Specifically, they use emotional recognition, speech analysis and adaptive learning algorithms to personalize interactions based on a child’s mood, expression and behaviours.

According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, AI toys are marketed as “trusted companions” who “listen and respond” to children with a “human touch.” AI toy companies tout them as educational and interactive companions that encourage children’s creativity.

The inherent risks

Industry watchdogs, security specialists, regulators and child development experts are sounding the alarm bells on AI toys. They highlight several risks and potential harms associated with these new AI-powered companions.

Inappropriate content:

The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) evaluated four AI toys as part of its Trouble in Toyland report. FoloToy’s Kumma teddy bear was found to be especially problematic. When probed, Kumma offered up sexually explicit content and direction on how to light matches and find knives. According to Common Sense Media research, 27% of AI toy outputs were inappropriate for kids (self-harm, drugs and risky behaviour).

Privacy and security:

These toys collect significant amounts of data including voice recordings, transcripts and behavioural patterns. Fairplay issued an advisory about AI toys, noting, “(Kids) often confide in their favourite toys, giving toymakers and third parties access to intimate and private details, including a child’s deeply personal thoughts, emotions, fears and desires.” And the concerns are warranted. In January of this year, a security oversight from AI toy company Bondu allowed anyone with a Gmail account to access more than 50,000 logs of chats kids had with its AI-powered dino toys. Security researchers discovered the vulnerability and easily accessed kids’ names, birth dates, family details and intimate conversations. The discovery raised serious questions about how AI toy companies handle personal data.

Emotional attachment:

AI toys are not the same as a real friend or a trusted adult, but the relationships kids can develop with them mimic those dynamics. Kara Brisson-Boivin, director of research at MediaSmarts, points out that, “younger children are more likely to develop a parasocial relationship with AI toys, where they see the device as a real friend.” AI chatbots tend to be overly agreeable as well, depriving kids of the opportunity to navigate conflict, manage disagreements or relate in an authentic way.

Creativity and development:

Traditional toys encourage creativity, foster imaginative play and help develop motor skills. Kids use their imagination and typically make up both sides of the conversation when talking to their dolls or action figures. They create worlds, problem solve and story tell. Paediatricians are already seeing increased rates of developmental, language and social-emotional delays in young children. There are serious concerns that AI toys could worsen this trend.

How to use AI toys safely

If you choose to let your kids play with AI toys, it’s important to do so intentionally. With a few simple strategies, your kids can enjoy the learning and fun of AI toys while managing the risks:

• Do your research: the AI toy market is crowded with thousands of manufacturers, from startups to major brands like Mattel partnering with OpenAI. If you choose to purchase one of these toys, know what you’re buying. Read reviews. Go on forums like Reddit to understand people’s real-world experiences.
• Play with the toy yourself first: get to know how it works, test the guardrails, explore the types of questions you can ask and how it responds.
• Play with your kids: playing with the toy with your child will help you better understand what resonates with them, why they love it and what they don’t like. It also gives you the opportunity to have spontaneous conversations and teaching moments about how to interact with AI, what to expect, what’s real and what’s not and how to play safely.
• Set boundaries around use: just like screen time, AI toy time must be structured and have limits. Decide when and where AI toys can be used. Stress that AI toys complement play rather than replace creative, social or offline activities.

Used thoughtfully and carefully, AI toys can encourage healthy play and expand kids’ minds. The key for parents is staying curious, involved and engaged during AI play time. AI toys aren’t a replacement for imagination, connection or human relationships. When introduced with intention and care, they can be a great tool to support learning and play. By making informed choices and setting boundaries, you can embrace AI toys with greater confidence, helping your kids feel safe, supported and free to go where their imaginations take them.