LEGO Criticized for Excessive Violent Elements, Responds It's Unavoidable for Child Development

New Zealand researchers recently stated in a study that against the background of the digital age, toy manufacturers are engaged in an "arms race" to attract children's attention, and there are more and more violent elements in LEGO toys.

A research team from XXX University of New Zealand said in a study published in the online journal of Public Library of Science that children's toys are becoming more violent and bloody. The proportion of weapons in LEGO bricks and war scenes in LEGO themed playsets has increased.

Researcher Christoph Bartneck from the team said, "LEGO products are not as harmless as they used to be. The violent elements in LEGO toys seem to go beyond the scope of enriching play." The researchers concluded: "The violent elements in LEGO toys have grown exponentially over time."

According to reports, the Danish LEGO company has been producing brick toys since 1949. The study found that weapons first appeared in LEGO's toys released in 1978, when swords, axes and javelins appeared in a castle playset. In addition, the study retrieved LEGO toy catalogs from 1973 to 2015 and found that the scene descriptions in the company's playsets have also become increasingly violent.

The study found that "About 40% of LEGO toys now contain some kind of violent component, especially play scenarios such as shooting and threatening behaviors have increased in recent years. It is generally felt that violent behaviors bring excitement." The study also shows that LEGO toys just reflect a major trend in children's entertainment. "To attract customers' attention, toy manufacturers seem to be in an arms race to produce new exciting products," the study stated.

LEGO spokesperson Troy Taylor said that LEGO sells a range of toys including construction, fantasy and conflict play. "Like other types of play, conflict play is also a part of children's self-development. We always try to handle it in a humorous way as much as possible to reduce the level of conflict," Troy Taylor said.