Last week we shared that parents were outraged over a range of popular dolls after discovering they appear in raunchy outfits and covered in tattoos. A recent update reveals that Target and Kmart have followed Big W and Woolworths lead and decided to remove the range of ‘hair vibes’ LOL Surprise! dolls from their shelves.
Target removes LOL doll range
Collective Shout excitedly announce today another WIN in their campaign to remove the LOL Surprise dolls from sale.
Target has responded to consumer feedback and withdrawn sexualised LOL Surprise dolls from sale.
Target have stated:
“Every day we work hard to create an environment that is safe for our team members, customers and suppliers. We’re committed to stocking and creating products that reflect the values of our Target customers and communities and unfortunately, it has recently come to our attention that this range of L.O.L Surprise ‘Hairvibes’ dolls do not do that. Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes investigating this issue and we can confirm that we’ll be withdrawing the Hairvibes range from show immediately.
“At Target, we have a long history with L.O.L and know that these dolls are dearly loved by our littlest Target customers. We have been working in partnership with this supplier for many years and this is the first time we have experienced an incident like this. We believe it is an isolated issue with the ‘Surprise Hairvibes’ dolls specifically, but we’ll be working closely with our suppliers to ensure this does not happen again.”
Target spokesperson
Kmart removes dolls from shelves
Kmart also responded to consumer feedback by withdrawing the sexualised LOL Surprise dolls from sale as well.
In a statement Kmart told the Collective Shout,
“Every day we work hard to create an environment that is safe for our team members, customers and suppliers. We’re committed to stocking and creating products that reflect the values of our Kmart customers and communities and unfortunately, it has recently come to our attention that this range of L.O.L Surprise ‘Hairvibes’ dolls do not do that.
“Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes investigating this issue and we can confirm that will be withdrawing the Hairvibes range from show immediately.
Kmart spokesperson
“At Kmart, we have a long history with L.O.L and know that these dolls are dearly loved by our littlest Kmart customers. We have been working in partnership with this supplier for many years and this is the first time we have experienced an incident like this. We believe it is an isolated issue with the ‘Surprise Hairvibes’ dolls specifically, but we’ll be working closely with our suppliers to ensure this does not happen again. Thanks so much.
BIG W remove dolls from shelves
Last week Adolescent psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg, backed calls for Australian retailers to remove the dolls saying:
“We shouldn’t allow young girls to be sexualised by toys like this because the message they get sent is ‘I’m a sexual object.’ We’re teaching them that they have to be sexy, attractive and subservient in order to be acceptable to men. … I would like Kmart and Big W to withdraw this product immediately.”
Collective Shout were pleased to announce that they welcomed Big W’s decision to remove sexualised LOL [Lil Outrageous Littles) Surprise dolls from sale.
Campaign manager Melinda Liszewski was advised of the decision yesterday evening.
“We have listened to our customers’ concerns and have made the decision to remove the range of LOL Surprise #hairvibes dolls from our shelves.
Big W spokes person
We continue to work closely with our supplier to ensure that future ranges of LOL Surprise at BIG W are consistent with our customer’s feedback.”
The call to ban LOL doll range
One angry Queensland mum sparked concerns when she took to Facebook to issue a warning to other parents after discovering inappropriate hidden features on the popular children’s toy.
She says the LOL Surprise! dolls, which are sold in Kmart, Target and Big W, display sexualised outfits that are not visible when purchasing them.
Her video has since gone viral, racking up more than 8 million views, 125k shares and 97k reactions.
The mum claims when submerged in cold water, some of the LOL Surprise! doll’s features change, for example the word “caution” appears on its underwear, which appears to turn into tape or bandages.
“We need to stand up for our children,” she says in the video.
“What’s going on right underneath our noses… our children are being groomed for pedophilia, it’s as simple as that.
“As a mum, I am fuming and so … livid right now that my daughter has these toys in our house and I knew nothing about it.”
“This is the most disgusting thing that I have come across,” the mum said.
“This is toys that are being given to our kids… and we’re buying them innocently, thinking ‘oh they’re just going to have a whole lot of fun with these little mini girl toy’.”
Mum cops abuse
The mum has since been trolled, abused and attacked after sharing her thoughts.
“I have started to receive threats, bullying, abuse and trolling of my profile,” she wrote in a comment on the video.
I never expected this video to reach this amount of people. I shared it because I felt it necessary for parents to know so they can protect their children.
“Why some people thought and continue to think its funny I don’t know because it’s far from funny.
“There are obviously people who are OK with this sickening evil.”
Just don’t buy them!
Sunrise also shared the story and commenters on their Facebook page are saying it’s simple, just don’t buy them!
One mum said, “My daughter has a few of these doll I tested them. only one showed up in the water and all the others didn’t and and it was a arm tattoo on the boy doll. I never knew they did this until I saw one of the videos. And you know what I don’t care because my daughter isn’t taking the clothes off and sticking them in cold icy water and parading around on social media like these parents are.”
Another said, “If you don’t think they are appropriate for your children don’t buy them. Use your common sense. Seriously.”
“I don’t get it, they are called LOL SURPRISE! What did you expect!?!? It’s a pretty good surprise.”
“My 8 year old collects these I have no issue with them as we dont sexualise them in any way.”
“Oh please get a grip, a child doesn’t see this as anything else but swimmers or underwear, my child gets these dolls and loves them, pops them in the pool in her LOL glam van and their swimmers appear and that’s all she sees them as.”
“Parents are just bored with their lives. Children don’t look at things like we do. If we teach them that they should judge every little thing, we are going to have a whole generation of absolute sooks.”
But is that really the attitude? Shouldn’t all parents want to ensure these things are not accepted as the norm in today’s world?
Main image via LOL surprise FB page
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