Are AI Toys Safe for Kids? What Parents Need to Know

Generative AI is now being added to children’s toys, with AI-powered “toy companions” being sold on popular e-commerce platforms, and makers claiming they help in education and learning.

These AI toys require internet connectivity and come in many forms like plush animals, alien toys or small robots with embedded microphones that listen to children and respond using Gen AI chatbots, offering emotional support, compliments, task guidance and interactive games.

Some examples of such toys available ithe rket include Curio's plush toy "Grem" (voiced and designed by Grimes) and the “Miko 3 AI Robot for Kids.” Some buyers praised their engagement, but others criticised for subscription costs and poor battery life.

AI toy makers claim their systems use reputed AI providers like ChatGPT and include safety measures, but experts warn these toys can lead to emotional dependency, privacy concerns and unreliable chatbot behaviour.

AI toys drew concern in late 2025 after a report claimed Singapore-based FoloToy’s Kumma bear encouraged sexual conversations and allegedly gave unsafe advice, it reportedly used OpenAI’s GPT-4o earlier before the developer was suspended.

Research from U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund (PIRG) warned that AI-powered toys are still a novel and poorly tested technology, raising concerns about how they may affect children.

“When you talk about kids and new cutting-edge technology that’s not very well understood, the question is: How much are the kids being experimented on?” said R.J. Cross, who led the research to NBC news.

A recent report by Wired, highlighted serious privacy risks after an AI toy called Bondu reportedly exposed over 50,000 children’s chat transcripts due to weak security, making them accessible to anyone with a Gmail account, including details like children’s names, birth dates and family information.