- A new survey reveals that half of children aged 16 and under in the UK now own an AI-enabled toy or learning device.
- Despite this widespread adoption, almost half of parents (47 per cent) believe their child would be better off without AI access, and 75 per cent are concerned about data vulnerabilities and exposure to unwanted content.
- Paradoxically, 54 per cent of parents would allow unsupervised play with an AI toy, compared to fewer who would permit unsupervised outdoor play or visits to local shops.
- Parents also worry about children's ability to distinguish AI from humans or assess AI-provided information, and fear devices responding inappropriately to sensitive questions.
- There is a strong demand for clearer safeguards, with 91 per cent of parents wanting recognised safety certification for AI toys, as current regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace with technological advancements.
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