Kids Playing Barbie Dolls are Exposed to Hidden Dangers; Experts Reveal

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“I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie World. Life’s Plastic, It’s fantastic.” These are just some of the lines that your children intend to sing or not but still loves to play with their blonde and plastic Barbie dolls. Apparently, some parents don’t know the risks that these toys pose to children at their young age.

As Herald Sun reported girls always love to dress up and play roles with their Barbie dolls. Yet, according to an Australian study, 160 little girls between ages 5 to 8 happen to view the Barbie doll’s body as the “ideal” look.

The study published on Body Image included Flinders University professor of psychology Marika Tiggemann’s statement that Barbie dolls shouldn’t be given to young girls since it gives them the false idea of what a human figure should look like. The professor then pointed out that if the children have already Barbie dolls, parents should encourage them to do more than just to make them look pretty.

Amid accusations, Barbie brand Mattel’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Shore mentioned that the study “failed to accurately represent the Barbie brand, as well as realistic play experiences”. He then added that they talk to various parent across the globe every day that tells them about the positive effects of playing the dolls they produce. In which parents identify creativity and storytelling prowess to be unleashed by their children.

In addition, Daily Mail also reported that another study was published on the Body Image by a nutrition and food scientist at Pennsylvania State University, Kathleen Keller. She identified that young girls point out the body size of the corresponding doll they play to be the “ideal” shape they desire.

Similar to the first study but this research differs in which it is identified to lead to future eating disorder possibilities. As Keller stated, “Differences between the body sizes girls have, versus the bodies they want, may suggest a future of disordered eating to achieve the desired body shape, regardless of whether that is thin or full-figure.” Rest assured, it is still up to parents whether they would still let their children play their beloved dolls or not.