Awexa? Awe you thewe? It’s me, a toddler!
A team of early childhood experts are sounding the alarm on AI chatbots designed specifically for young children.

Pediatric physician Dana Suskind warns AI could "fundamentally change the human brain," especially in children who already have a tendency to anthropomorphize. We've all walked in on our kid having an intense conversation with their stuffed animal; Imagine if they started having conversations with an actual robot, who could listen, respond, and even attempt to empathize.

A small study from 2024 found that kids ages 3-6 were more likely to trust a robot than a human, even when that robot had proven to be less reliable.

All the more concerning, considering who’s behind the latest “kid-friendly” AI chatbot.

The important bits
Elon Musk recently announced on X that he and his team are working on "Baby Grok," which would be an app dedicated to kid-friendly content.

It's not just Musk, however. Google has also released plans for kid-focused AI, like a special Gemini app to help with homework and other creative projects.

Teens are already relying heavily on chatbots. In a recent study, one third of teens surveyed revealed they had discussed serious matters with AI companions instead of real people at least once. And a not-so-small percentage of them said the chats were just as satisfying, or even more satisfying, than talking to humans.

Chatbots can give good advice, but they can't replace human interaction. Psychologist Scott Kollins points out that the one thing chatbots can't do is capture the entire range of nonverbal communication, such as subtle facial expression and body languages. Kollins is worried kids will grow up lacking the ability to read people.

What's it all mean?
Call us old-fashioned, but we’re not sure the folks who perfected digital addiction are the best candidates to shape young minds.

💸 The child tax credit will look a little different next year
A new tax and spending package, introduced by President Trump, includes a permanent change to the child tax credit. Beginning in 2026, the total amount of the tax credit will go from $2,000 to $2200. It's also been indexed to inflation, so it'll grow over the years. However, eligibility has narrowed: nearly 3 million children are expected to lose access now that at least one parent must have a Social Security number. Additionally, 19 million children might not receive the full credit due to parents not earning enough. Read more here.

📈 Nicotine pouch poisonings are becoming a real problem
Accidental nicotine poisonings have increased dramatically in the past few years, especially ones involving nicotine pouches like Zyn. Poisonings in kids under 6 rose 763% from 2020 to 2023 — jumping from 0.48 to 4.14 cases per 100,000. The spike mirrors a sharp rise in pouch sales. This is a serious issue because nicotine is highly toxic and could have fatal outcomes in young children.

🤰 Apple might know you’re pregnant before you do
An Apple-backed study used AI to analyze wearable data and predicted pregnancy with 92% accuracy by tracking not just heart rate and temperature, but also behavior like sleep, exercise, and even how you walk. This means your Apple Watch could know you're pregnant before you do. Just wait until they make ones you can pee on!

🥛 Bodybuilders really want your breast milk
According to a new report, some new moms are making thousands of dollars a month by selling their breast milk online to gym bros searching for extra gains. One mom from Atlanta claims she's already sold more than 3,500 ounces and has made as much as $800 in just one day. Get the details here.

🦀 What does your kid really want for lunch?
This survey asked, and some of the results are a bit surprising. Crab legs? Really, Frankie?

What do your kids know about mealtime manners?
I don’t enforce a lot of food rules, but I do expect certain things at the dinner table.

This week I’m sharing 5 non-negotiables we have at family meals, including the one that drives me absolutely crazy 🤬

🧢👄🍽️ → Get the full list here.

Last week, we asked what your favorite reality dating show was and there was a tie between, "Love Island" and "I don't have time to watch anything!"

Major Swimming Pool Recall
Nearly 5 million swimming pools are being recalled after being linked to the death of nine children over the last two decades.

The CPSC warned that pools 48 inches or taller have compression straps that act as footholds, letting small children climb in, even without a ladder.

The pools, made in China and priced between $400 and $1,000, were sold at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

If you believe you may have one of these pools, please click here to get specific details on the pools being recalled.