Does someone know how to push your buttons? What about the inappropriate one?
If you’re a troll, you know what I’m talking about. And I don’t mean the internet kind.
As reported by The Providence Journal, Hasbro is pulling a Trolls World Tour doll from shelves following a petition of complaint.
According to the outraged and aghast, the toy is “conditioning our children to think pedophilia is okay.”
Here’s more, via Change.org:
Our society is conditioning our children to think pedophilia is ok. This Trolls World Tour doll named Poppy has a button on her private area under her skirt. When you push this button on the doll’s private she gasps and giggles. This is not okay for a child’s toy! This toy needs to be removed from our stores. What will this toy make our innocent, impressionable children think? That it’s fun when someone touches your private area? That pedophilia and child molestation are ok? It’s not ok! It’s not fun! It’s damaging and has long term affects on a child’s mental/physical health! Sign this petition to get this toy removed from shelves and help #SaveTheChildren! Children are our future and WE are their voice!
It is an odd location for the giggle switch:
Is nothing sacred anymore? Troll doll that makes "sex sounds" with button between it's legs pulled from sale.
A parent started an online petition, arguing that the toy is inappropriate for children.https://t.co/7l66eyYUd1
— Liz#ProudtobeScottish (@maliamum) August 7, 2020
Politician Sam Parker provided a video illustration:
What the Holy Hell now…? https://t.co/i12s5KFn6P
— Iseult of Ireland (@IseultWallace) August 5, 2020
Is that the sound people make when they’re touched there, or would it be more realistic if the doll punched you in the face?
Either way, social media huddled ’round the cause
Imagine being complicit in eroding a child’s boundaries wrt personal space and bodily autonomy and making a play out of child sexual abuse. How on Earth did this materialise and go through all the stages of design and production. Is paedophilia normalised completely now?
— Iseult of Ireland (@IseultWallace) August 5, 2020
Whoever designed this needs to be investigated pretty damn quick.
— Eliza (@Eliza_Cuppa) August 5, 2020
This is just so wrong.
— #IStandWithJKRowling (@SabrinaMulhJj) August 5, 2020
It’s abhorrent. Was this a paedophiles sex joke? It seems too blatantly obvious that this could be used as a means to erode a child’s boundaries about what is normal or acceptable behaviour.
— Iseult of Ireland (@IseultWallace) August 5, 2020
This is horrific. So we have to vet toys now. #hasbro explain please. Sexualisation of children is in who’s interests exactly?
— Louisa MA (@Feudaltimes) August 5, 2020
@Hasbro This needs investigating and the toys recalling ASAP. Why would the doll have a secret button in that area of all places?! And the noises… It just screams grooming 😡
— 🛑Kelly White🛑 (@kelly_white88) August 5, 2020
It’s a good question: How could such a design reach store shelves?
Hasbro spokeswoman Julie Duffy provided an explanation to the Journal:
“This feature was designed to react when the [Trolls World Tour Giggle and Sing Poppy Doll] was seated, but we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate. This was not intentional, and we are happy to provide consumers with a replacement Poppy doll of similar value through our consumer care team. We are in the process of removing the item for purchase.”
That makes sense. Although, why would anyone make that sound whenever they sit down? Have I been investing in the wrong kinds of chairs for decades?
Regardless, pulling the doll was probably a good idea. The issue pushes too many buttons.
Or, at least, one that should never be pushed.
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
South Korean Soccer Team Apologizes After Being Accused of Filling Empty Seats with Sex Dolls
Criminally Bright: Robbers Try to Outsmart a Masked World by Wearing Watermelons On Their Heads
Move Over, Murder Hornets – Beware the Coronavirus Cannibal Rat
Due to COVID-19, New York City Issues a Guide to ‘Safer’ Sex – and All I Can Say Is Wow
Move Over, Murder Hornets – Beware the Coronavirus Cannibal Rat
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