A Queensland family has been subjected to harsh online criticism after their 10-year-old daughter sustained severe facial burns when a popular squishy toy, a knock-off version of a NeeDoh, exploded after being heated in a microwave. Violet Zerbst had placed the stress-relieving toy in the microwave for 30 seconds with the intention of making it softer, but the gel-filled toy burst, spraying across her face and causing burns and blistering.
Violet described the incident, stating she was squishing the toy when the liquid inside concentrated and then burst onto her face, leaving her in significant pain and feeling her skin peeling off. She was treated by paramedics at her home before being transported to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she remained for a week. Her father, Jody Zerbst, reported that the burns were superficial and no scarring is expected. Violet thankfully suffered no eye damage.
Despite the traumatic experience for his daughter, Mr. Zerbst revealed that the family has received thousands of negative and cruel comments online. These comments range from accusations of parental neglect and ignorance to claims that the child deserved to be burned. Some social media users cited a lack of parental supervision and a failure to teach children about the dangers of heated items, asserting that avoiding microwaving toys is common sense.
Mr. Zerbst, who has a background in science education, noted that sharing his daughter's experience has served to inform some members of the public about the potential dangers. Violet had been playing with a replica of Schylling's NeeDoh product, a cube-shaped stress ball filled with gel-like material. While branded NeeDoh toys typically come with warnings, Mr. Zerbst indicated that some imitation versions may not be clearly labeled.
The popularity of NeeDoh toys and similar products has surged recently, partly due to viral social media trends. This increased demand has led to shortages and a proliferation of counterfeit versions. Retailers have reported high call volumes and difficulty in tracking down new stock. The Zerbst family is handling the online backlash with a degree of humor, with Violet's older sisters reportedly finding the situation amusing and making lighthearted comments about the trolls.