Dangerous children’s toys lurk in market, say experts

All the toys which our children play with are not ‘real’ toys, instead, some of them may be harmful to them in some way or the other, according to experts, educationists and child psychiatrists.

The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has recently seized more than 280 goods including toys, bags, notebooks and kites bearing colours and slogans which have connotations against public morals and were impacting children’s thought process.

As playing with toys helps improve their communication skills, self-confidence, and release of emotions, they can also be detrimental to their emotional or physical well-being if proper care in their selection is not taken.

“Not all toys which our children play with are real toys, but are harmful to their physical or mental health or both and one needs to be careful while choosing toys for children,” says Dr Muna al Shekaili, Child Psychiatrist, Al Masarrah Hospital.

Just as toys impact children’s cognitive development, social and emotional development, as well as language development, they can also encourage certain personality traits or styles of playing, such as an aggressive play, violent behaviour, and the like. There are active toys and passive toys. Some are auto play, while others need a child to activate and play with them.

Some toys which replicate weapons connected to violent games, movies or cartoons are nothing but tools of glorifying violence with heroism and inculcate a belief that attacking and killing bad guys is a heroic act.

Psychologists opine that such toys can have a significant effect on the way a child views the actions and beliefs of other people.

Samar al Busaidy, a stargazer, says certain toys can either be dangerous because of sharp parts unless proper care is taken while selecting them.

“Parents should make sure that all the parts of toys are properly fixed and intact, and ensure that there are no sharp edges. Some toys can lead to strangulation, hence, any loose ribbons or strings needs to be removed. Also, toys which cause choking, toys which have tiny parts or airtight bags which cause suffocation, need to be removed,” said a leading supplier of toys.