Trolls doll pulled off shelves over button on genitals that ‘giggles’
A Trolls doll that ‘gasps and giggles’ when a button between her legs is pushed is being pulled off store shelves amid complaints it promotes child abuse.
Toymaker Hasbro said that it’s in the process of removing the “Trolls World Tour Giggle and Sing Poppy” from the market and will be offering customers a replacement doll of the popular female character.
The doll had been designed to giggle when placed in a sitting position, but some parents complain the sound activation button is inappropriately placed under the doll’s skirt and between her legs.
In a video posted to Twitter, one mother shows the location of the button and demonstrates the noises made by the doll.
“It makes a gasping sound when you touch her privates, and to me it’s just like sexual sounds and it’s so disturbing,” she says.
An online petition suggests the doll is “conditioning our children to think pedophilia is OK.”
“This is not okay for a child’s toy! This toy needs to be removed from our stores,” the petition by Jessica McManis reads in part. “What will this toy make our innocent, impressionable children think? That it’s fun when someone touches your private area?”
The petition is addressed to major retailers including Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Hasbro spokeswoman Julie Duffy told The Providence Journal that the Rhode Island-based company recognises the sensor’s placement “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,” she told the newspaper. “We are in the process of removing the item for purchase.”
Hasbro is the maker of Transformers, G.I. Joe, Monopoly and other beloved children’s toys and games.
Earlier this week, a line of children’s books launched by Coles were deemed inappropriate with some shoppers claiming the books promote violence and include graphic images.
In one story, one character threatens to kill another. In another, a different character is beheaded by a chainsaw.
