Sharjah Child Safety Department addresses complaints about toy dolls

Child safety experts have called on parents to spend more time playing with their children and to ensure that their toys are safe as well as age-appropriate.

It comes following concerns on social media about a popular brand of toy dolls that apparently display inappropriate hidden messages when placed in cold water.

The L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls have made headlines recently after a series of videos were shared by concerned mothers.

In a statement, the Child Safety Department (CSD) in Sharjah said it's taking these complaints very seriously and is verifying their accuracy with the relevant authorities.

Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director of CSD, said: "Many children become very attached to their toys, particularly girls to their dolls, as they often build close emotional relationships with them, communicating and playing with them as if they were raising them. This makes it even more crucial for parents to ensure that these toys convey the correct messages and values to their young ones."

Al Yafei also lauded the efforts of mothers who have stepped forward to warn other parents.

"When it comes to children, the responsibility goes beyond parents, nannies and teachers. It is the responsibility of the entire community. It falls on each one of us to warn and alert others against any dangers that could jeopardise children’s psychological, physical or social safety," she added.

The #ChildSafetyDepartment called on parents to share more playtime with their #children and take the extra step to ensure their children’s toys are safe and suitable for their age. pic.twitter.com/MkIN0nSob3

— NNC. (@NNCagency) August 25, 2020