The company behind a popular Trolls doll is apologizing today after more than 270,000 people signed a petition calling for the toy’s removal from store shelves because they say it normalizes pedophilia.
Hasbro is pulling the World Tour Poppy doll after more than 270,000 people signed a petition calling it sexual and inappropriate.
The petition says, “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?”
The concern circulated quickly on social media:
Is @Hasbro normalizing grooming & facilitating child abuse? 🤔👇
— Sam Parker 🇺🇲 (@SamParkerSenate) August 5, 2020
A spokeswoman for Hasbro told CNN, “This feature was designed to react when the 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.”