The Trolls franchise may be popular among young children these days, but parents are far from pleased with a range of toys released for the movie by the company Hasbro.
The Hasbro Trolls World Tour Giggle and Sing Poppy Doll has come under fire after moms and dads discovered a button located on the character's crotch that simulated "sex" sounds when pressed.
A video of the doll was shared by US politician Sam Parker, along with the caption: "Is
@Hasbro normalizing grooming & facilitating child abuse?"
In the footage, a woman by the name of Jessica McManis can be heard explaining: "I wanted to do a quick video, because I find this disturbing and I find it something that needs to be shared."
"Down here is a button, right here on her privates, and if you push it, she makes these sounds..."
McManis then proceeds to push the button, causing the doll to make "gasping" and "giggling" sounds.
What's more, McManis explains that there is no mention of this button anywhere on the box.
Below, another "disgusted" Twitter user can be seen demonstrating the doll. In the video, she said: "How is that okay, for a company to be so irresponsible, to put that button right in that spot and only make... [proceeds to push the button to play the sounds]".
In the caption for the video, the Twitter user accuses the doll of "normalizing inappropriate behavior".
She writes: "This is disturbing. This is intentional grooming. Normalizing inappropriate behavior. Those saying that there is no sinister intent because it said so on the box and that its just a poor design FOH."
McManis has since started a Change.org petition to have the dolls removed from supermarket shelves.
The description for the petition reads:
"Our society is conditioning our children to think pedophilia is ok. 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?"
McManis adds: "It’s not ok! It’s not fun! It’s damaging and has long term affects on a child’s mental/physical health! Sign this petition to get this toy removed from shelves and help #SaveTheChildren! Children are our future and WE are their voice!"
As of this writing, 255,516 people have signed the petition.
In response to the complaints, Hasbro has said it is pulling the doll from shelves as soon as possible, with a spokesperson for the company apologizing to parents in a statement to The Providence Journal.