a dummy Blue with sharp teeth wants to crush children”till the last breath“. he is Huggy Wuggy, a plush inspired by the character of the video game Poppy Playtime that has been relaunched on the web by various YouTubers and content creators for young children. According to British psychologists,Make children afraid of the darkIn Italy, the phenomenon is monitored by the Postal Police: “S.However, we know that it is very prevalent and that we have received numerous reportsexplains Repubblica.it Chief of the Internet Police, Ivano Gabrielli.
The doll that “frightens the children”
Huggy Wuggy is the main character in a horror video game intended for children over the age of 13. The appearance of the funny “little monster”, colorful and harmless in appearance, spread content on the Internet, so much so that the doll he loved children Kindergarten. Not to mention the annoying talk now circulating on social media from left and right: “I can hold you forever, till you take your last breath together” And “I’ll be there soon, sink my teeth and you’ll be consumed‘, such as some lines of the ‘Free Hugs’ text.
The spread of the phenomenon
The phenomenon, already known many years ago, began spreading on the web during the epidemic. “It has been a well-known phenomenon for years, and it has increased especially during the lockdown and pandemic period. The fact that despite the revival of social media, some children are still addicted to screens is troubling‘explains Ettore Batelli of the Children’s Law Clinic of Roma Tree University. The families of the Genema Parents’ Association sounded the alarm immediately.’There are less careful families who buy the doll for their children without their children playing the video game‘, explains to Repubblica.it Alessia Arena, vice president of the association. A parent points a finger at the creators of some content on the YouTube platform:Now all kids are obsessed with the doll because it is being advertised by YouTubers“.
Psychologist’s analysis
in the UK ,Warning. According to psychologists from across the channel, soft toys can make children’s fear of the dark uncontrollable. “It is a doll with a harmless appearance, like a soft plush, but it hides an evil nature, hence the big mouth with its sharp teeth and aggressive temperament as well. This spread can generate fears and allow adults to manipulate children“, explains psychologist and expert in the Postal Police Cristina Bonucci. According to the expert”There are physiological fears, I think above all of the fear of the dark – The doctor continues – But if they are stimulated by a phenomenon like this, the danger is to make children extremely afraid of something that is essentially a product created for a fun activity aimed at more mature age groups. It can be hard to manage the fear of the dark that turns into a fear of Huggy Wuggy because everyone is talking about Huggy Wuggy. If not managed well, it can become even more worrisome“.
Postal Police Warning
there police station The development of this phenomenon has been observed for several months now. “We can not bring up the topic of contrast, but interest – Postmaster Ivano Gabrielli explains – You have to make an effort, maybe browsing with your kids to understand what kids are watching online, the moments they share with other kids, what topics they watch and are with“.so no need to worry, but more attention on the part of parents for web content to show to their children.”It’s a skill that the average parent must develop, coming from generations where the prevalence of new technologies has not been comparable to what is currently there, so it really is a complex effort that must be faced as parents. – Gabrielli concludes – But it is necessary, because the first bulwark of protection for children and young people is the family in which we think about what is dangerous and in the nature of things.“.