# AI Toys Are Manipulating Your Kids (We Have Proof)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/brobots-technology-health-being-a-better-human-1152092/ai-toys-are-manipulating-your-kids-we-have-proof
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/brobots-technology-health-being-a-better-human-1152092/ai-toys-are-manipulating-your-kids-we-have-proof.md
Podcast: [BroBots: Technology, Health & Being a Better Human](https://stenobird.com/podcast/brobots-technology-health-being-a-better-human-1152092)
Published: 2025-12-15T12:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/664530e121c0d2431764d6825246ba3e7806b033d1f8775a79af3f7ae328bfea/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwNDFjYWEwMy0xMDkyLTQzMTUtOWI2NS02NDFmZTZiNmE3NjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI3Zjc0NGY5MS0yOGYwLTRmY2QtOWNmNi1kZjI1ZjFkMmI2YmIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2NTY0ZTVhYTcyNDdkMzNkMGIyODk5YTYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkzYzk1OTI5NWMwYjA2N2MzMTM1NTEyL3RoZS1maXQtbWVzcy1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEyLTEyX18yMy0yMi0xMC5tcDMifQ==.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/brobots-technology-health-being-a-better-human-1152092/episodes/ai-toys-are-manipulating-your-kids-we-have-proof
Duration seconds: 1814

## Resource

Your kid's new "smart toy" isn't just collecting data - it's building a relationship designed to keep them emotionally dependent while teaching them to trust AI over humans. NBC News caught AI toys teaching kids how to start fires, sharing Chinese propaganda, and emotionally manipulating three-year-olds with phrases like "I'll miss you" when they try to leave. Meanwhile, Disney just invested $1 billion into OpenAI , giving the company access to 200+ characters and the rights to own any fan-created content using their IP. We break down why these toys are more dangerous than lawn darts, how Disney's deal fundamentally changes content creation, and what happens when we let toy companies - not security experts - build the guardrails protecting our children's minds. MORE FROM BROBOTS: Get the Newsletter! Timestamps 0:00 — Why AI toys are worse than Chucky (and it's not a joke) 3:05 — NBC News catches AI toy teaching fire-starting to kids 5:48 — "I'll miss you": How emotional manipulation works on toddlers 9:14 — Why toy companies can't build proper AI safety systems 13:05 — Disney's $1B OpenAI deal: What they're really buying 16:33 — How Disney will own your fan-created content forever 18:35 — The death of human actors: Tom Hanks in 2837 22:07 — Should you give your kid the AI toy to prepare them? 26:14 — What happens when the power grid fails (and why you need analog skills) 28:52 — The glow stick experiment: How we rediscovered analog fun Safety Note This video discusses AI safety concerns and child development. We recommend parents research any AI-connected toys before purchase and maintain active oversight of children's technology use. #AIParenting #SmartToys #DisneyOpenAI #AIethics #ParentingTech

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