EIE Commends Mattel for Delaying Release of AI Toys - A Victory in the Movement!
 

Enough Is Enough^® commended Mattel for delaying the release of AI toys due to growing public concern over their safety – concerns exposed by U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), and amplified by EIE’s advocacy and the efforts of EIE’s coalition allies.

“The AI teddy bear, Kumma, powered by OpenAI, told a tester at PIRG where to find knives and pills, how to light a match, and have even had sexually explicit conversations. Many of these AI toys are incredibly dangerous as they do not currently have the necessary safety guardrails in place. Our ‘Naughty and Nice’ List recently urged parents to avoid buying them for their children. Mattel wisely decided to delay the release of AI toys for this holiday season, and we urge Mattel to reconsider introducing them to children at all,” said Enough Is Enough^® President and CEO Donna Rice Hughes.

“Parents need to be aware of the growing trend of AI toys, as many are falsely marketed as safe and educational for kids as young as 2. Most AI toys are powered by the same AI technology that has already harmed children, and the embedded chatbots are programmed to listen and speak with the child like a trusted friend and mimic human emotions.

“We urge all toy companies to follow Mattel’s lead and not put AI chatbots into toys if and until they are proven to be safe for children. Additionally, we are encouraged to see Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal demand answers from makers of AI toys.”

When you "fund the fight", your support fuels the ability of Enough Is Enough^® to amplify these warnings, hold tech companies accountable for products they design and market to children and teens, and protect children by stopping unsafe tech toys and other AI-driven threats before more harm is done!