FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 30, 2026
Contact: Ashwin Verghese, Communications Director, [email protected], 508-263-0289
Statement on OpenAI and Meta Using Kids’ Mascots for AI Agents
Fairplay Executive Director Josh Golin released the following statement today:
“This trend of AI companies using kids’ mascots to market their highly unsafe products needs to stop immediately. The FTC and state attorneys general should investigate whether Meta and OpenAI are deliberately trying to get kids hooked on AI agents at a young age so they will become dependent on their AI agents for life.
“In addition to all the other dangers AI poses to global security and humanity in general, AI products have already caused children irreparable harm, including even driving some kids to suicide. It’s depraved that the tech companies responsible for harming kids are now using children’s iconography to sell their dangerous AI products.”
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About Fairplay
Fairplay is the leading nonprofit committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Fairplay works to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. Learn more at www.fairplayforkids.org.