Listen, as kid’s movies go, the Trolls movies are way more bearable than they have any right to be. The music is upbeat and fun, the writing is snappy, and the cast is pretty delightful.
Which is why most of us ponied up the cash to watch it at home when it released back in April, but unfortunately, you’re not going to get the chance to nab your kid this particular Princess Poppy doll for the holidays.
The doll in question was manufactured by Hasbro – the “Giggle and Sing” Polly doll – and features two buttons that make sounds when pressed. One is on her tummy and asks questions like “How about a hug,” which is fine.
The other, though, is under her skirt – between her legs – and makes the doll gasp and say things like “whee” and “oh.”
Yeah. I’m not one to wig out over stuff, but this is pretty icky.
A Change.org petition has received more than 280k signatures, and asks the doll, which they say encourages grooming and normalizes child sexual abuse.
“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?” wrote petition author Jessica McManis. “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!”
I mean, that’s a lot of exclamation points, but her other points are kind of valid.
People have spoken out against the doll on Twitter too.
https://twitter.com/SixQ2Q2Q/status/1290810190640623618
Even Utah Senate hopeful Sam Parker is hoping to cash in on the controversy.
https://twitter.com/SamParkerSenate/status/1290986237315039232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1290986237315039232%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fparents%2Fhasbro-pulls-trolls-doll-inappropriate-button-placement%2F
Retailers will not have to make the decision themselves, because Hasbro agreed to remove the “Giggle and Sing” doll from shelves. Spokesperson Julie Duffy, SVP of Global Communications, made a statement to Romper.
“This feature was designed to react to the doll when seated, but we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate.
This was not intentional and we are happy to provide customers with a replacement Poppy doll of similar value through our Customer Care team.
We are in the process of removing the item for purchase.”
If you want or need a replacement Poppy doll, here’s the link to request one from Hasbro.
Kudos to a big corporation for listening to people, hearing their concerns, and taking quick and decisive action.
If only our government could be so efficient, right?