Spy Cam Barbie: Boycott or Buy?

   By drodriguez  Nov 07, 2010
62

Over the years we have seen toys become more and more high tech in an effort to keep up with the growing trends our kids find appealing..  Now it’s Barbies turn.  Mattel recently introduced us to “Video Girl” Barbie which is a Barbie doll with a small spy camera hidden inside her necklace.  The camera allows kids to take their own videos that can be up to 30 minutes in length.  But the new high tech Barbie has many parents outraged and demanding the “toy” be taken off the market.

A recent report from the Today show discusses the boycott that was instigated by Sally Anne-McCormack, an Australian psychologist, over the spy cam doll.  McCormack believes this product will make it all too easy for kids to film inappropriate behavior and then upload it on the internet.  She also believes adults can use the the doll to exploit children.  McCormack says, “Boycott this product and refuse to shop in any store that justifies selling this potentially pornographic tool.”

The hidden camera doll seems especially inappropriate to a lot of parents probably because kids who play with Barbies are typically very young, many under the age of six.  Because after all, what would a 6-year-old need a hidden camera in their room for?  Others think the Barbie “Video Girl” doll is nothing new and will not allow kids to do anything they aren’t already doing on their cell phones that are equipped with cameras.  

What do you think of the Barbie “Video Girl” hidden camera doll?

Would you purchase this doll for your child if they asked for it or do you think it is better off being boycotted?

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dfran157 by dfran157 | Stevens Point, WI
Nov 08, 2010

This just doesn't sound right at all... Boycott!

eldapc11 by eldapc11 | SANTA ANA, CA
Nov 08, 2010

I would never buy this for my daughter. If I want my daughter to be more creative and artistic I would buy her those digital cameras specially designed for children and designed for the parents to uploads the pictures.

jrledford77 by jrledford77 | FLOWERY BR, GA
Nov 08, 2010

I think this would be a good idea for parents to use if they are worried about their babysitter or nanny, but honestly kids do not need this. If anyone has been on Facebook lately and the things that are posted from 12 year old girls and boys they would know that this doll could cause a lot of mental and emotional damage if used by an older sibling that "didnt think it was a big deal".

patrossi2004 by patrossi2004 | Charlestown, RI
Nov 08, 2010

Gotta say a cell phone is also inappropriate for kids this age...plus what parent has a child theat has free access to the internet...why boycot...just be a good parent

jrosenthal1477 by jrosenthal1477 | byhalia, MS
Nov 08, 2010

OMG!!!! I Had No Clue That there were such dolls out on the market! They should not be sold, because it is inappropriate. I would never ourchase that doll

lockliss by lockliss | lake grove, NY
Nov 08, 2010

My daughter never played with Barbie. Does anyone know what this doll is selling for?? I think the camera is not appropriate and just another way for Mattel to charge more for a plastic doll because it has a little camera in it. It's all about the $$$$$.

ronniann by ronniann | Kenner, LA
Nov 08, 2010

I agree with shellybugb. Most kids playing with a Barbie are not going to be on the internet....and if they are, they probably will not be doing it without an adult present. I see the potential for the wrong people to use this in the wrong way but I also see it as a way for kids to be creative. A hand-held camera would probably make more sense though but I don't see a reason to boycott. If you don't want your child playing with this, don't get your child one.

enchantinglight by enchantinglight | Sunbury, PA
Nov 08, 2010

While the toy itself is not the problem, it's the people who use them for malicious purposes who are. While they people who made this were trying to come up with something new that kids might like, in the hands of the wrong person would be terrible! I say, take it off the market.

SavdByGrace by SavdByGrace | SUMMIT, IL
Nov 08, 2010

When I immediately got an icky feeling thinking about this toy, I'd say it is an inappropriate way to "disguise" a camera, period. If Barbie must have a cam, why not in her hand? Why hidden in her necklace? Strange concept for a child's playtime.

Saintfae by Saintfae | Strafford, MO
Nov 08, 2010

Wow. I think the idea is good in theory but in practice probably not the smartest route for the kids. What in the world do you think your 6 year old is going to do that you don't already know about. Plus the idea of it falling into the wrong hands is too real of a threat. I'll pass on this one.

msfriendly by msfriendly | MONROE, WI
Nov 08, 2010

Boycott! What in the world was Mattel thinking?

shellybugb by shellybugb | Knoxville, TN
Nov 08, 2010

In addition, I would hope that any parent with young children would be assisting or at least supervising their children on the internet.

shellybugb by shellybugb | Knoxville, TN
Nov 08, 2010

I don't think it is supposed to be a "spy cam." My daughter is 7 and she is slowly moving away from playing with barbies but thought this would be a cool way to create videos of Barbies playing from the perspective of Barbie. Yes, there is potential for abuse, but this product is widely marketed and most little girls are aware of this product, its not some underground thing make for pedophiles.

MadHatter by MadHatter | Whitestone , NY
Nov 08, 2010

wow, this can really fall into the wrong hands. why would they do this? i think that these types of toys should ONLY be sold to professionals like Physiologists or such. But NOT to the general public. I agree with some of the comments above. What if this encourages Pedo's? this is disgusting. isn't it enough that there is nanny cam's in teddy bears, now in a Barbie? No. i am extremly mixed on how people are going to use this. good or bad.

n_pera by n_pera | DANVILLE, CA
Nov 08, 2010

Boycott for sure!!! This is so disturbing to think of how this could potentially be used! There is no reason that a child needs a spy camera. I would definitely not buy this for my daughter!