Don’t Ban Trends, Ban Unsafe Products

If you’ve been on TikTok or YouTube lately, you’ve probably seen dumpling squishies. They are small, squishy toys that look like colorful dumplings and often come in surprising designs. They’ve become really popular, especially with kids and teens. (I have 2!) People like them because they’re fun to squish and because you never know which one you’ll get. [I would try to shorten the opening – I think getting to the point is important.]

But recently, some dumpling squishies were found to contain hazardous chemicals and didn’t meet safety standards. [Could you add in more details about how and when and where these hazardous chemicals were found.] Because social media helped make these toys so popular, it raises the question of how much responsibility social media companies should have when a trend turns out to be harmful. In my opinion, social media companies should help stop unsafe products from spreading, but they should not ban entire trends because of a few dangerous items.

Social media influences what people buy, watch, and do. A trend can spread in just a few days. Most trends are harmless and fun, but sometimes they can cause problems. Like much of Gen Alpha, I fell victim to the Labubu craze in early July 2025. I bought more and more, and now, I don’t even play with them anymore. A friend at school who collects squishies told me that kids like them because they’re fun to collect, trade, and show to their friends. This suggests that most children enjoy the trend itself, not any unsafe products connected to it.

The dumpling squishy trend is another good example. The toys themselves aren’t the issue. [They are in some ways though, right? You explain why in the next sentence 🙂 ] The issue is that some companies are making and selling unsafe versions.

During an investigation by Trading Standards officers in the United Kingdom, some dumpling squishies were found to contain hazardous chemicals and failed toy safety tests. Officers discovered that certain products sold online did not meet safety standards and could pose risks to children.

The Trading Standards Officer at Swansea Council, Rhys Harries, stated that “social media platforms such as TikTok can accelerate the spread of toy crazes almost overnight, but they can also help point Trading Standards towards the latest fake, unsafe or non-compliant products entering the market.”

I don’t think social media companies should ban trends completely. Just because something becomes popular online doesn’t mean it should be taken away. Instead, social media companies should focus on the things that are actually dangerous. If a product has been proven unsafe, ads for it should be removed. They could also add warnings to videos promoting products that are being investigated.

“We would urge parents to be cautious, to buy from reputable retailers, and to check for the correct safety markings and supplier details,” Harries said.

Social media companies can’t control every decision people make, but they shouldn’t ignore problems either. They should help stop harmful products and dangerous challenges from spreading. making trends safer instead of banning them altogether, they can protect users while still letting people enjoy what’s popular online.

Great work on this article! I’m glad you’ve added in quotes and more information 🙂