Every year, there is always something new that people find to obsess over. Ranging from vehicles to food, people find interest in things year after year. One of this year’s spotlights is fidget toys.
Fidget toys are made for relieving stress, for the satisfying experience, or simply just for having fun collecting them. Because of these features, many people have bought them, resulting in the gain of recognition of fidget toys.
However, the popularity gain of fidget toys is not all fun. They can create arguments or mass accidents.
A Freshman at Skyline High School, Miranda Park, thinks that the uprising is overrated. “I don’t really like it, because it’s getting to a point where it’s overhyped,” Park says. “I feel like every trend that’s like overhyped, everyone will start to hate it soon.”
On the other hand, another Freshman at Skyline, Sadikshya Kuikel, feels the complete opposite. “I love it, because now, it’s being normalized to bring fidget toys again and to share their fidget toys with people,” says Kuikel. “You can share it with friends and build a deeper connection.”
Although Park and Kuikel each believe differently about the uprising, they both share the same thought on fidget toy hazards.
Fidget toys have always been creating danger, whether it was accidental or not.
One of the most recent accidents was caused by a NeeDoh, creating third degree burns from exploding after it was heated up in the microwave. NeeDoh is a fidget toy gaining popularity known for its sensational feel. Park says, “Well, some fidget toys can be dangerous. […] It kind of happens, and everything breaks at some point.”
Following Park, Kuikel agrees. “I love the satisfying texture of NeeDohs, […] but I think it’s very dangerous,” Kuikel says. “Fidget toys can harm people, especially children. And most fidget toys are made for children.”
Most of the NeeDoh’s age range is ages three and up, primarily targeted for young children.
Although Kuikel worries that fidget toys may create more dangers as more fidget toys get created, she talks about how fidget toys can be very helpful and how they can create a positive impact.
“For people with anxiety disorders, it can help them relieve all their pressure and help them calm down, even if they have panic attacks,” says Kuikel. “Instead of fidgeting with hair or biting nails, fidget toys can help you fidget safely without affecting health problems.”
Some fidget toys cause harm and injuries to users. But for some, fidget toys have saved their mental health and have created a positive impact.
“I hope fidget toys become more popular, because it has really given a good impact in the community,” says Kuikel. She looks forward to what other beneficial qualities fidget toys could bring in the future.
Although Park is not very excited about the current trend, she wonders how fidget toys might be useful. She says, “In the end, the thing is, it just really depends on who and why you’re using it.”
