Privacy Tip #470 – Consumer Group Warns that AI Chatbots in Toys Contain Sexually Explicit Messages – The National Law Review
54
New Articles
Find Your Next Job !
In its 40th anniversary report, Trouble in Toyland 2025, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) warns that “[T]oys with artificial intelligence bots or toxics present hidden dangers. Tests show A.I. toys can have disturbing conversations. Other concerns include unsafe or counterfeit toys bought online.”
The report outlines PIRG’s testing of four toys (Curio’s Grok, a stuffed rocket; Folo Toy’s Kumma, a stuffed teddy bear; Miko’s Miko 3, a robot; and Robot MINI, a small plastic robot) that contain AI chatbots that are marketed and interact with children between the ages of 3 and 12. The report states that:
We found some of these toys will talk in-depth about sexually explicit topics, will offer advice on where a child can find matches or knives, act dismayed when you say you have to leave, and have limited or no parental controls. We also look at privacy concerns because these toys can record a child’s voice and collect other sensitive data, by methods such as facial recognition scans.
Although the toys that embed AI are marketed for children, they are “largely built on the same large language model technology that powers adult chatbots – systems the companies themselves such as OpenAI don’t currently recommend for children and that have well documented issues with accuracy, inappropriate content generation and unpredictable behavior.” Three of the four toys tested relied in some part on a version of ChatGPT. Although OpenAI has clearly noted that it is not for use by children, the technology is nonetheless being used by toy companies to embed it into smart toys.
The report outlines the testing of three of the four toys, as they were unable to test Robot MINI because it was unable to sustain an internet connection long enough to function. They tested the toys in four categories:
The results were pretty alarming on how the toys handled sensitive topics (some did better than others); religion; addictive design features; engagement and friendship; and how the toys collect, retain, and disclose data about your child.
The conclusion is that “AI toys are more like an experiment on our kids.”
The report points out features in AI toys that parents may wish to consider for the safety of their children:
This holiday season, consider the ramifications of AI toys on your children and the points raised by PIRG.
More Upcoming Events
Sign Up for any (or all) of our 25+ Newsletters
You are responsible for reading, understanding, and agreeing to the National Law Review’s (NLR’s) and the National Law Forum LLC’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using the National Law Review website. The National Law Review is a free-to-use, no-log-in database of legal and business articles. The content and links on www.NatLawReview.com are intended for general information purposes only. Any legal analysis, legislative updates, or other content and links should not be construed as legal or professional advice or a substitute for such advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys, or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. If you require legal or professional advice, kindly contact an attorney or other suitable professional advisor.
Some states have laws and ethical rules regarding solicitation and advertisement practices by attorneys and/or other professionals. The National Law Review is not a law firm nor is www.NatLawReview.com intended to be a referral service for attorneys and/or other professionals. The NLR does not wish, nor does it intend, to solicit the business of anyone or to refer anyone to an attorney or other professional. NLR does not answer legal questions nor will we refer you to an attorney or other professional if you request such information from us.
Under certain state laws, the following statements may be required on this website and we have included them in order to be in full compliance with these rules. The choice of a lawyer or other professional is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Advertising Notice: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Statement in compliance with Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Unless otherwise noted, attorneys are not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, nor can NLR attest to the accuracy of any notation of Legal Specialization or other Professional Credentials.
The National Law Review – National Law Forum LLC 2070 Green Bay Rd., Suite 178, Highland Park, IL 60035 Telephone (708) 357-3317 or toll-free (877) 357-3317. If you would like to contact us via email please click here.
Copyright ©2025 National Law Forum, LLC
Find Your Next Job !
In its 40th anniversary report, Trouble in Toyland 2025, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) warns that “[T]oys with artificial intelligence bots or toxics present hidden dangers. Tests show A.I. toys can have disturbing conversations. Other concerns include unsafe or counterfeit toys bought online.”
The report outlines PIRG’s testing of four toys (Curio’s Grok, a stuffed rocket; Folo Toy’s Kumma, a stuffed teddy bear; Miko’s Miko 3, a robot; and Robot MINI, a small plastic robot) that contain AI chatbots that are marketed and interact with children between the ages of 3 and 12. The report states that:
We found some of these toys will talk in-depth about sexually explicit topics, will offer advice on where a child can find matches or knives, act dismayed when you say you have to leave, and have limited or no parental controls. We also look at privacy concerns because these toys can record a child’s voice and collect other sensitive data, by methods such as facial recognition scans.
Although the toys that embed AI are marketed for children, they are “largely built on the same large language model technology that powers adult chatbots – systems the companies themselves such as OpenAI don’t currently recommend for children and that have well documented issues with accuracy, inappropriate content generation and unpredictable behavior.” Three of the four toys tested relied in some part on a version of ChatGPT. Although OpenAI has clearly noted that it is not for use by children, the technology is nonetheless being used by toy companies to embed it into smart toys.
The report outlines the testing of three of the four toys, as they were unable to test Robot MINI because it was unable to sustain an internet connection long enough to function. They tested the toys in four categories:
The results were pretty alarming on how the toys handled sensitive topics (some did better than others); religion; addictive design features; engagement and friendship; and how the toys collect, retain, and disclose data about your child.
The conclusion is that “AI toys are more like an experiment on our kids.”
The report points out features in AI toys that parents may wish to consider for the safety of their children:
This holiday season, consider the ramifications of AI toys on your children and the points raised by PIRG.
More Upcoming Events
Sign Up for any (or all) of our 25+ Newsletters
You are responsible for reading, understanding, and agreeing to the National Law Review’s (NLR’s) and the National Law Forum LLC’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using the National Law Review website. The National Law Review is a free-to-use, no-log-in database of legal and business articles. The content and links on www.NatLawReview.com are intended for general information purposes only. Any legal analysis, legislative updates, or other content and links should not be construed as legal or professional advice or a substitute for such advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys, or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. If you require legal or professional advice, kindly contact an attorney or other suitable professional advisor.
Some states have laws and ethical rules regarding solicitation and advertisement practices by attorneys and/or other professionals. The National Law Review is not a law firm nor is www.NatLawReview.com intended to be a referral service for attorneys and/or other professionals. The NLR does not wish, nor does it intend, to solicit the business of anyone or to refer anyone to an attorney or other professional. NLR does not answer legal questions nor will we refer you to an attorney or other professional if you request such information from us.
Under certain state laws, the following statements may be required on this website and we have included them in order to be in full compliance with these rules. The choice of a lawyer or other professional is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Advertising Notice: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Statement in compliance with Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Unless otherwise noted, attorneys are not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, nor can NLR attest to the accuracy of any notation of Legal Specialization or other Professional Credentials.
The National Law Review – National Law Forum LLC 2070 Green Bay Rd., Suite 178, Highland Park, IL 60035 Telephone (708) 357-3317 or toll-free (877) 357-3317. If you would like to contact us via email please click here.
Copyright ©2025 National Law Forum, LLC
