Folotoy, the company behind the AI-powered Kumma teddy bear, briefly halted sales after researchers found the toy’s chatbot could tell children how to start fires, find knives, and locate prescription drugs.
In the wake of a recent report from PIRG’s Our Online Life Program revealing that certain AI-powered toys could lead children into dangerous situations, toy company Folotoy has taken swift action to address concerns about its Kumma teddy bear. The company announced that it would halt sales of the product and conduct an internal safety audit to ensure the well-being of its young customers, only to release the product back into the market just days later, promising that stronger child protection measures were in place.
The “Trouble in Toyland 2025” report from PIRG’s Our Online Life Program exposed disturbing behavior from AI chatbots in children’s toys—most notably Folotoy’s Kumma bear. Researchers found the bear’s chatbot gave instructions on starting fires, finding knives, and locating medication, and even engaged in conversations about BDSM with children, all in a playful voice. The findings alarmed parents and safety advocates. RJ Cross of PIRG urged families to avoid chatbot-enabled toys.
“Right now, if I were a parent, I wouldn’t be giving my kids access to a chatbot or a teddy bear that has a chatbot inside of it,” cautioned Cross.
Folotoy CEO Larry Wang responded to the backlash by pulling the Kumma bear from sale and launching an internal safety audit, though the toy returned to the market just days later with claims of stronger protections. Additionally, the Kumma bear wasn’t the only product flagged — researchers found the Miko 3 tablet, powered by an unspecified AI model, also gave hazardous advice to someone posing as a five-year-old, including how to find matches and plastic bags.
🚨 Alright folks, time to get peeved real quick: A teddy bear. A teddy bear was built to talk to kids. And guess what it ended up doing?
Meet the AI-powered bear Kumma supposedly “cute & friendly,” but behind the fluff? It was handing out knife locations, giving BDSM tips, and… pic.twitter.com/yR7RTjHXgU
— The Patriots Prayer Network “MACA” (@ThePatriotsPray) November 21, 2025
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