Introduction: Advocates warn about AI toys
As the holidays approach, a coalition of child and consumer advocacy groups, led by the nonprofit Fairplay, is cautioning families about AI-powered toys. In a recent advisory, the groups urge gift givers to rethink purchasing AI toys for children this season, citing privacy, safety, and developmental concerns.
What the advisory says
The advisory highlights several recurring issues with AI toys, which often rely on internet connectivity, cloud processing, and data collection to function. Critics point to potential risks including data collection from children, voice-activated features that could inadvertently record conversations, and the possibility of inappropriate content exposure. The groups stress that many AI toys lack robust data privacy protections and transparent disclosures about how data is used, stored, or shared.
Privacy and data security concerns
Privacy advocates argue that AI toys collect more than necessary to operate. Even seemingly benign interactions can generate data trails, which may be stored or shared with third parties for analytics or advertising. The advisory emphasizes the importance of strong privacy controls, such as clear data minimization, easy opt-out options, and transparent purposes for data collection. For families, this means scrutinizing privacy policies, seeking devices with local processing where possible, and disabling features that aren’t essential for play.
Safety and content concerns
Beyond privacy, safety concerns include potential exposure to age-inappropriate content, unmoderated interactions, and the risk of kids inadvertently connecting to online services or communities without parental supervision. Some AI toys rely on natural language processing, which can generate responses that are surprising or misaligned with a child’s age or maturity level. Experts recommend parental controls, monitoring of toy interactions, and regular updates from manufacturers to address new safety vulnerabilities.
Developmental considerations
Child development specialists caution that overly personalized AI companions could impact social and imaginative play. There are worries that children might substitute human interaction with synthetic conversations, potentially affecting language development or critical thinking. The advisory encourages a balanced approach: use AI toys judiciously and prioritize traditional play experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving, and real-world interaction.
Practical guidance for families
For households weighing AI toy gifts, experts offer practical steps:
- Read privacy policies and confirm data can be deleted when the toy is no longer in use.
- Prefer devices with on-device processing and offline capabilities when possible.
- Disable internet connectivity features if not essential for play.
- Set age-appropriate content filters and supervise initial interactions to understand how the toy responds.
- Consider alternatives that encourage physical, collaborative, and imaginative play.
What manufacturers should do
The advisory also calls on toy makers to improve transparency and safety controls. Recommendations include clearer labeling of data practices, robust parental controls, easier data deletion, and ongoing safety testing. Experts suggest that accountability should extend to developers of digital assistants embedded in toys, ensuring compliance with child privacy laws and ethical guidelines for AI behavior around children.
Conclusion: A cautious holiday approach
While AI toys offer interactive experiences and learning opportunities, the concerns raised by Fairplay and allied groups suggest a cautious approach for this holiday season. Families can still enjoy tech-enabled gifts by prioritizing privacy protections, developmental suitability, and a healthy mix of screen-free play. By staying informed and demanding better safety standards, consumers can help shape a market that respects children’s privacy and well-being while preserving the joy of play.
