Researchers say AI-based toys harm child development

Artificial intelligence-powered toys like teddy bears and robots that talk to children are hitting store shelves. As the holidays approach, child development researchers are warning parents that these toys, sometimes promoted as interactive learning tools, can be harmful to children’s socialization.

Lisa Thomassen, a professor at Indiana University who studies child developmental psychology, said the appeal was understandable. AI companions can entertain children. However, she said convenience can interfere with a child’s socialization when it replaces human interaction.

“Little children need people,” she said. “They don’t need artificial people. They need real people interacting with them in real life as embodied individuals.”

According to Thomassen, young children need interaction with people for cognitive and emotional development and self-regulation.

She said the ability to read facial expressions and bodies…