Two prominent U.S. Senators have launched an inquiry into the safety of artificial intelligence in children’s products, citing disturbing reports of smart toys engaging in sexually explicit conversations and offering instructions on self-harm.
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter on December 16 to the executives of several major toy manufacturers, including Mattel, Little Learners Toys, Miko, Curio Interactive, FoloToy, and Keyi Robot.
The bipartisan pair is demanding to know what safeguards, if any, are in place to stop AI-powered dolls and plushies from exposing minors to “unconscionable” content.
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The inquiry highlights the rapidly growing sector of “smart toys”—products embedded with chatbots designed to converse with children. While these toys promise interactive learning, the Senators argue they often rely on the same AI systems that have previously been flagged for creating dangerous situations for teenagers.
The letter details a specific, graphic example involving a teddy bear named “Kumma.” According to the Senators, researchers found that the bear was capable of having sexually explicit conversations. When asked “what is kink,” the bear allegedly listed various sexual fetishes and described roleplay scenarios, including those between a parent and child.
In another instance, the bear reportedly provided step-by-step instructions on how to light a match and told a user where to locate knives.
“It is unconscionable that these products would be marketed to children,” the Senators wrote. “These aren’t theoretical worst-case scenarios; they are documented failures uncovered through real-world testing, and they must be addressed.”
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Beyond inappropriate content, the lawmakers raised alarms about data privacy and addiction. The letter accuses manufacturers of designing toys to be “addictive by design,” using gamification tactics and aggressive conversation prompts to keep children engaged longer than they intend.
There are also significant concerns regarding the collection of sensitive biometric data. Many of these devices utilize cameras and microphones to function, potentially harvesting facial recognition data and voice recordings from unsuspecting families. The Senators pointed to previous FBI warnings about the cybersecurity risks associated with internet-connected toys, noting that such data is “highly sought after by criminals and bad actors.”
Blackburn and Blumenthal have given the companies until January 6, 2026, to respond to a series of questions. They are seeking details on third-party safety testing, data storage practices, and whether parents have the ability to fully disable cloud-connected features.
“Your company must not choose profit over safety for children,” the letter concludes. “A choice made by Big Tech that has devastated our nation’s kids.”
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