AI in the Toy Box: How Parents View AI-Enabled Toys for Young Children

AI-enabled toys and child-focused devices are quickly moving from novelty to mainstream holiday offerings, marketed as playful, educational, and increasingly conversational companions for young children. Recent media coverage has highlighted both excitement and discomfort with this trend, as parents encounter toys that talk back, remember past interactions, and simulate social or emotional responsiveness.

Common Sense Media's new research found that nearly half of parents have bought or considered buying these toys for their kids—and while many hope the toys will help their kids learn or encourage good behavior, others have concerns about the safety and privacy implications. More than 8 in 10 parents expressed concern about AI toys collecting their children's personal information. 

Importantly, the majority of parents don't want AI toys to act as friends for their kids, though nearly one in five do want them to serve that purpose. Common Sense Media maintains our recommendation that no one under 18 should use AI companions, which share key features with AI toys.

Our research found that AI toys vary in features but all share the same problems: design features that create emotional attachment in young children, extensive data collection, and unreliable performance. Common Sense Media recommends that no child age 5 and under use AI toys, and parents should exercise caution before buying AI toys for children age 6 to 12.

Read the full research report and find additional resources below.

More Resources:

• Read the risk assessment
• Read the press release
• See the full research questionnaire