Introduction
In recent years, a series of cute, interactive AI toys that even offer “companionship and learning” features have rapidly gained popularity. However, according to a report by the Associated Press on November 21, child and consumer advocacy organizations in the United States have warned that these toys are not safe for children, especially during the holiday season that includes Christmas and New Year’s, urging parents to avoid purchasing them.
These toys are aimed at children aged 2 and above and are typically powered by AI models like ChatGPT. However, such AI models have been shown to potentially have negative impacts on children and adolescents.
The child advocacy organization Fairplay issued a statement signed by over 150 organizations and experts, including child psychiatrists and educators. The statement pointed out that there is ample documentation of the serious harm caused by AI chatbots to children, including exacerbating addiction, triggering inappropriate sexual conversations, and encouraging dangerous behaviors, violence, and self-harm.
Some companies market their AI toys as educational. However, Fairplay noted that these toys may replace the creative and learning activities that children should engage in. “They promise to ‘bring friendship,’ but in reality? They affect children’s interpersonal relationships and psychological resilience.”
Rachel Franz, director of Fairplay’s “Young Children Thriving Offline” program, explained: “Children’s brains are in a formative stage, and they are naturally inclined to trust others and tend to form relationships with friendly characters.”
Pediatric surgeon Dr. Dana Suskind stated that traditional analog toys are still a more suitable choice for the holiday season. “Children need a lot of real human interaction. Toys should promote this interaction, not replace it. The key is not what the toy can do, but what it replaces. Simple blocks or non-speaking teddy bears can drive children to invent stories, experiment, and solve problems. AI toys often directly solve these thoughts for children. The irony is that parents ask me how to prepare their children for an AI world, while actually giving children unrestricted access to AI is the worst way.” (IT Home)
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