By India McCarty
Experts and parents alike issue warnings about the dangers of AI toys.
“These products introduce serious risks to children’s development, privacy, and safety,” researchers stated.
In fact, their report recommended “total avoidance” of all AI toys for children under 5, and advised extreme caution for children ages 6 to 12.
They pointed out several dangers, including privacy risks, security flaws, developmental harm and exposure to inappropriate content.
Related: AI Toys Are Flooding the Market…But Are They Safe?
According to the report, 27% of AI toy’s responses were found to be inappropriate for children. They also documented many instances where the toys were able to bypass filters parents put in place to screen for this type of unsafe content.
“Most toys are required to undergo rigorous safety testing before they hit the market, but we still lack meaningful child safeguards for AI,” James P. Steyer, the founder of the research group, said in a press release. “Parents should proceed with caution and make sure they know all the facts before making the choice that’s right for their kids.”
One of the toys the researchers tested was Grem, a plush alien toy that is advertised as a source of “endless conversation” for children. A spokesperson for Curio, the company behind Grem, said their toys are designed with “parent permission and control at the center.”
The Curio spokesperson added that the company “appreciate[s]” the researchers’ “work to raise important questions about children’s safety, privacy, and development in emerging technologies. At Curio, we share the belief that deploying AI for children carries a heightened responsibility.”
For parents who are wondering how to safely let their children interact with AI toys, Parents.com recommends “carefully consider[ing] if the AI toy would add value and meaning to their lives intellectually and emotionally,” as well as keeping “traditional toy options available so that the toy room contains only toys, not just AI toys.”
The site also counseled setting clear boundaries for your children about how and when to use the toy, as well as carefully looking into the toys’ safety and privacy settings.
“Most importantly, trust your instincts as a parent,” Parents.com wrote. “If you have concerns about AI toys, don’t purchase one for your child, and if you observe any harm coming from it, remove it from their possession.”
Parents need to be aware of the dangers AI toys can pose to their children, whether it’s exposure to inappropriate content or safety concerns.
Read Next: This AI Toy Could be Feeding You Children Deadly Information
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