Hasbro accompanied the release of Trolls World Tour with a children's toy featuring Poppy. The company has now pulled the Giggle and Sing Poppy Doll after a number of people complained about some of the toy's features, suggesting that the toy played a role in grooming children for sexual abuse.
Comments attached to a petition launched by Jessica McManis explained that the doll possessed a button located under its skirt, "When you push this button on the doll's private she gasps and giggles." McManis continued, "This is not okay for a child's toy... What will this toy make our innocent, impressionable children think? That it's fun when someone touches your private area?" She then emphasized the potential damage that the toy in its current construction could cause, writing, "It's damaging and has long term affects [sic] on a child's mental/physical health!"
At the time of writing, the petition has acquired almost 170,000 signatures. In a statement to Providence Journal, Hasbro spokeswoman Julie Duffy explained that the placement of the button was unintentional, "This feature was designed to react when the doll was seated." She continued, "But we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate."
According to Duffy, the toy is in the process of being removed from circulation. In addition, Hasbro will offer replacement dolls "of similar value" through the customer care team.
(via People)