"Sowing" the seeds of violence in children from banned toys!

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, walking around souvenir shops, toy stores and even at some traditional markets, it is not difficult to see images of weapons-simulating toys being sold openly.

From plastic samurai swords, colorful shields to plastic bullet guns, lasers, high-pressure water guns... All are designed to be eye-catching, colorful, accompanied by vivid sounds and lights to attract the attention of "young customers".

Most of these products have unclear origins, poorly printed foreign packaging, no quality control stamp (CR) and completely lack safety warnings in Vietnamese. Their prices are very cheap, starting from only a few tens of thousands of VND, making the products even more accessible.

Ms. Nguyen Mai Hien Chi (Thanh Sen ward) expressed her concern: “My son is in first grade. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I took him to buy a star lantern, but he insisted on a plastic pistol because he said all his friends had one. After returning home, he pointed the gun at everyone and acted as if he was shooting a real gun, which made me extremely worried.”

Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Tran Nhat Tan (currently working in Hanoi ) said: "On this occasion, when I returned to my hometown and took my grandchild to buy Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, I noticed that he only chose items such as plastic swords and sabers that were battery-operated and designed to look like real ones. When these types of toys were activated, they immediately emitted terrifying, haunting sounds. When I did not agree to buy them, my grandchild reacted by crying loudly."

Toys that are simulated to look like the real thing

Currently, to avoid the authorities, some stores do not openly display violent toys, but only when customers need them do they bring them to a more difficult-to-find storage area.

Transactions like this make it almost impossible for the authorities to check, detect and handle. The goods are quietly transferred from the hands of the sellers to the "little customers".

Many store owners do not openly display violent toys.

It is not advisable to expose children to toys that simulate weapons on a regular basis, because this is not simply a game of entertainment. When children consider pointing guns and slashing swords at others as a joke, their brains will gradually form a dangerous connection: violence is acceptable, even fun.

Games that involve fighting and destroying “enemies” encourage aggression and aggression. Children can carry these behaviors from games into real life, tending to resolve conflicts with friends with fists instead of words.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khoa, Head of the Ha Tinh Market Management Department, said: “In order to bring children a meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival, the market management force is focusing on strengthening the inspection and control of the origin and quality of toys on the market. At the same time, we will strictly handle businesses that sell children's toys of unknown origin, toxic, violent, without inspection stamps according to regulations, and on the banned list.”

Exposure to violent toys poses many risks to children's development and forms bad personalities.

The current situation of trading in violent toys is a challenge, requiring drastic intervention and stronger solutions from authorities.

It is not enough to just check stores, but it is necessary to strengthen professional measures such as surprise checks, impersonating buyers, and especially closely monitoring activities in cyberspace.

Market management forces strengthen inspection and control of the origin and quality of toys on the market.

As for parents, more than ever, it is necessary to demonstrate their role and responsibility. Being lenient and indifferent in following their children's wishes to buy violent toys is an act of supporting evil, directly bringing danger to their children.

More importantly, take the time to explain to your children the harmful effects of violent toys and help them find meaningful, safe traditional Mid-Autumn toys such as paper lanterns, star lanterns, etc.