Call to boycott Barbie with built-in camera
MATTEL'S trademark vinyl doll is getting older but she has embraced technology - Barbie's new built-in camera abilities are worrying some privacy advocates and psychologists.
The Barbie Video Girl doll has been criticised for enabling children to film themselves and others using a hidden camera in Barbie's necklace.
The doll, which retails for about $110, also has a small colour LCD screen in her back and the capacity to record 30 minutes of video, which can be transferred to a computer.
A clinical psychologist, Sally-Anne McCormack, said the doll had the potential to be used unwisely online and called on parents to boycott the product. ''Essentially, it's a hidden camera,'' the mother of four said. ''Children don't look at video clips the way that adults do, and there might be inappropriate shots that they upload onto YouTube.''
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