Google's AI suggests using 'Magic Wand' adult toy for child therapy

Google’s AI Overviews is in hot water again after suggesting an adult toy as a tool for child therapy. The recommendation popped up in a search for “magic wand pregnancy,” offering weird advice about using the iconic Magic Wand vibrator to help parents and kids discuss behavior changes.

A Reddit user called out the strange search result, which claimed the “Magic Wand tool” could be a creative way for parents to handle parenting challenges. Alongside this text, Google’s AI featured an image of the Hitachi Magic Wand, one of the world’s most recognizable sex toys.

This misstep isn’t Google’s first AI mishap. The AI Overview feature has raised eyebrows before for suggesting people eat glue, plagiarizing content, and making inaccurate statements. Despite efforts to fix the system, Google’s AI still stumbles into awkward territory.

The odd parenting advice appears to be the result of Google’s AI misinterpreting a document from New Hampshire’s health department, as highlighted by 404 Media. The text describes a therapeutic exercise using an imaginary “magic wand” to spark conversations about ideal behavior changes. The AI, however, linked it to a real-world product designed for adult use. This isn’t all that surprising considering the tendency for AI to hallucinate often.

Many users found humor in the situation, with one Redditor saying “Ah yeah I used to hate when I wouldn’t eat my peas so dad would get the magic wand out and adjust my behavior.” Others were baffled by how the AI mashed up therapy advice with explicit content.

Google hasn’t commented on the incident, but it’s another reminder of the risks that come with relying too heavily on AI for content curation. Sometimes, a human touch is still needed to keep things appropriate — and to avoid awkward mix-ups like this.