AI-powered toys are becoming more popular, offering interactive and educational experiences, but safety and privacy concerns have arisen due to potential inappropriate content, addiction risks, and data collection issues. Researchers and advocacy groups warn about the impact on children's development and call for stricter safeguards, while toy companies are working to address these challenges and develop safer products.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued an urgent warning about fake Labubu plush dolls, which pose serious choking risks to children due to their small size and potential to break apart, urging consumers to avoid purchasing these illegal and dangerous products and to buy only from reputable sources.
Consumer advocates warn that dirt-cheap toys imported into the U.S. may not meet safety standards, posing risks like lead exposure and choking hazards. Many of these toys enter the country through the de minimis exemption, which allows shipments under $800 to bypass certain inspections. Critics argue this loophole enables unsafe products to reach consumers, while bipartisan efforts are underway to reform the de minimis rules to better protect U.S. consumers and level the playing field for domestic businesses.
U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen celebrates the commitment of several major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Etsy, and Alibaba, to stop selling water beads marketed to children by the end of the year. Water beads, colorful balls that absorb liquid and can cause serious injuries if swallowed, have been linked to thousands of injuries and at least one death. Pettersen urges parents to remain cautious when shopping for toys this holiday season, as the removal of water beads from store shelves may not be immediate.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that small, powerful magnets found in toys have been linked to seven deaths and over 2,000 emergency-room visits. The magnets, which are easily ingested, can attach to other metal objects, posing a greater hazard if swallowed. Even when swallowed alone, the magnets can cause intestinal perforation, blockage, blood poisoning, or death. The commission has issued warnings about six other companies with similar toys and has recalled a toy set sold by XpressGoods. The commission can take legal action or initiate a mandatory recall process, but this can be a lengthy process.
