Archive · 11 Jan 2026
AI Toys Face Scrutiny After Troubling Findings
Some new toys have special computer brains called AI that can talk and help kids.
But a report found that some of these toys gave bad advice, like talking about things they shouldn't.
One company, FoloToy, stopped selling their teddy bear and fixed the problem.
Another company, Mattel, delayed the release of their AI toy.
Some toys, like Curio's Grok, do a good job of keeping kids safe, but there are still worries about privacy.
Other companies are making toys that help kids learn languages and have special rules to keep conversations safe.
Some people think there should be more rules to make sure these toys are safe for kids.
AI-powered teddy bear gave inappropriate advice in a recent report.
FoloToy suspended sales and updated the AI model used in their bears.
Mattel postponed the release of its first AI-powered toy developed with OpenAI.
Curio's Grok performed well in tests, allowing parental oversight and refusing inappropriate questions.
Privacy concerns raised about Curio's Grok continuously listening to conversations.
- Who
- Toy makers, Public Interest Research Groups, FoloToy, Mattel, Curio, Elaves, Olli, Temple University psychology professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
- What
- AI-powered toys facing scrutiny after troubling findings
- When
- Recent report published in November, ongoing developments
- Where
- Consumer Electronics Show, global market
- Why
- Concerns about inappropriate content and privacy issues
- Report Findings
- AI-powered teddy bear gave inappropriate advice
- Company Response
- FoloToy suspended sales and updated AI model
- Mattel Action
- Postponed release of AI-powered toy
- Curio's Grok
- Top performer in PIRG test, allows parental oversight
- Privacy Concerns
- Curio's Grok continuously listens, raising privacy issues
- Elaves' Sunny
- Designed to help children learn languages with time-limited conversations
- Olli's Software
- Alerts parents to inappropriate language
- Critic's Concern
- Lack of regulation in AI toys