When good toys go bad IX: Barbie's Fashion Fever fosters bad credit

Note to parents: if you'd like your tweens not to run up extraordinary bills on the shared credit card when they head out to the mall, start by passing on Barbie's Fashion Fever Shopping Boutique playset. This innocent looking package allows youngsters to shop 'til they drop with fake plastic, but rather than actually hitting a credit limit and getting rejected, the card delivers the wrong message by simply allowing kids to spend as much dough as they'd like without any negative consequences. Take a look at the commercial after the jump.

[Via Gearlog]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 11th 2007 4:22PM]

I saw this awhile ago and found a site that has it to view.
Daily Show: Trendspotting with Demetri Martin, Credit Cards
Check this out, if your pre teen or tween is not hip to the credit card wait till they are in college, its a great segment.

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/63612/detail/

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 9th 2007 11:03PM]

Calm down, people. It. Is. A. Toy. No need to get all self-righteous and start a protest.

Did you play with toy guns when you were a kid? That looked like real guns? I sure did. And as of yet, I've never shot anyone, nor have any of my childhood friends that I know of.

I also remember having fun with candy cigarettes. And my dad smoked. But have I ever puffed on a cigarette even once? Nope.

This toy is the same thing. You can't tell me if it came with cash instead of a credit card, your little girl would say "Sorry, Barbie, you don't have enough money." She'd just take the cash out of the till and back into Barbie's purse.

A credit card is a financial tool that we all use. No toy is going to corrupt a child alone; parenting skills come into play too ya know. Relax, it's just a toy.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 9th 2007 11:17PM]

Here is a toy that I actually played with years ago, although there is a lot you can learn from it did I? Not really, I still managed to lose. The game is called Bargain Hunter, the object of the game is to buy a list of "things". You start with some cash and a "Plasticard", first to make all purchases without going bankrupt wins.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2431

Ok I may not be giving good advice but alternatives can be useful....right? Just trying to help. :)

[Jared Posted Oct 10th 2007 12:16AM]

Sounds awfully like the new monopoly where you swipe your card

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2007 1:36AM]

Hey guys,

This is just a toy for kids, this is not real.
Arent you supposed to get offended in the same manner when a boy gets a gun to virtually kill someone ?

I mean, it s not like Barbie doll showed her nipple :P

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2007 2:21AM]

Barbies will never end

more?

http://www.barbiesbabe.com

[shifuimam Posted Oct 10th 2007 11:11AM]

Note to parents: if you'd like your kids to learn good credit, don't give them a credit card period. Seriously. No fourteen-year-old needs a credit card, or unlimited access to shopping funds.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2007 1:41PM]

Have you heard of TyGirlz? These dolls grant special access to a website (www.tygirlz.com) that allows you to accumulate fun money in games, which can be used toward giving your online avatar a make-over or furnish their virtual home. I work with Ty Inc., so I know my daughter is safe while learning to "spend" wisely.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2007 10:54PM]

How is this even an issue?

I have this crazy idea...

Despite what toy companies, movie studio, television networks and musicians are saying and doing, I implore parents to TEACH THEIR CHILDREN.

I know, I know... it's pretty f*cking crazy! But seriously, what a wacky, wonderful world it would be if everyone just talked to their kids and didn't abandon them to the media.

I agree that the media sends bad messages. That's their JOB. If it was YOUR job then you'd stop, but it's NOT. So quit your goddamn bitching and just TELL YOUR KIDS what's right and wrong. You can't shelter them from media and media is NOT going to change, it'll only get worse, as there is a lot of money to be had in saying and doing risque things and encouraging crazy behavior.

Protect your kids as much as you can, correct the misconceptions that are created by the media, and stop blaming everyone else and villifying entities you have no control over (nor ever will).

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 11th 2007 6:26PM]

Truly on course.