Hasbro has pulled one of its popular Troll dolls from shelves following backlash from an inappropriately placed button on the dolls presumed private area.
The “Trolls World Tour Giggle and Sing Poppy” doll features a button on her stomach that will prompt the doll to sing and say phrases such as “How about a hug?” The second button which is placed on her bottom under her skirt makes sounds such as “Whee!” and “Oh!” when pressed. A petition began to circulate that drew 157,000 signatures as of Thursday calling for the removal of the toy. The petition claims that the doll is promoting child abuse.
“When you push this button on the doll’s privates she gasps and giggles. This is not okay for a child’s toy! This toy needs to be removed from our stores,” the online petition stated, which took aim at Target, Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers that carry the toy. The call for action goes on to ask, “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 okay?”
Hasbro responded via spokeswoman Julie Duffy who explained to CNN in a statement that “this feature was designed to react when the doll was seated, but we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate.” The statement continues, “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.”
