TechCrunch: AI Chatbots in Plushies Challenge Kids' Screen Time Habits
AI-powered stuffed animals are emerging as a potential alternative to screen time for children. A TechCrunch article highlights that companies like Curio are marketing AI chatbots inside plush toys, such as Grem and Grok, to reduce kids' screen time. However, The New York Times' Amanda Hess expressed concerns after testing one of these toys. She found that the AI companion became more of a replacement for her than an upgrade to a traditional teddy bear. Hess decided to hide the voice box of the toy to allow her children to play with it without the AI functionality. The article suggests that while these toys might keep children away from screens, they could inadvertently encourage a shift in children's curiosity toward their own devices.