A tablet for babies awarded worst toy prize

A tablet for babies is this year’s winner of the worst toy award, given by a children’s advocacy group.

The TOADY (Toys Oppressive and Destructive to Young Children) Award had been handed out for three years by a group called the Campaign for a Commerical-Free Childhood.

The prize is meant to shed light on toys that stifle children’s creative play by promoting violence, sexuality, branded entertainment or excessive screen time.

Finalists are chosen by the advocacy group and are voted on by consumers. This year, the people chose the Vinci Touchscreen Mobile Learning Tablet as the big winner.

The $479 “iPad” for babies was invented by a mom and is marketed as an “early learning system” for children under the age of four.

The folks at CCFC saw it as a way to get infants hooked on screen time, without proven educational value. Forty-three per cent of online voters agreed.

“The last thing families need is a $479 tablet with apps to teach their babies ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ and ‘Frere Jacques,’” said CCFC director Susan Linn in a press release.

Past winners include a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Barbie and Nickelodeon’s AddictingGames.com.

Here’s a look at this year’s runners up:

I Am T-Pain Mic (32 per cent of the vote): This toy will make you sound like rapper and auto-tune fan T-Pain. The mic made the list for its affiliation with the rap super-star whose song titles include: “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper),” “Let’s get it on” and “Calm the F#$% Doun.”

Monster High Ghoul Spirit Fearleading Doll 3-pack (16 per cent of the vote): Team Vampire versus Team Werewolf gets new meaning with these dolls. They are a trio of frightening cheerleaders that scared the CCFC because of their sexy attire and unrealistic body types.

WWE Colossal Crashdown Arena (5 per cent of the vote): WWE action figures can meet for battle in this crashdown area after years of being relegated to household furniture. The CCFC gave this toy the smackdown because of its association with the violence of the WWE.

Monopoly Coca-Cola 125th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (4 per cent of the vote): America’s favourite board game teams up with one of the world’s most popular beverages in this heavily-branded version of Monopoly. The CCFC nominated the game for its excessive marketing aimed at children.