The Panic Over 'Child Porn' Barbie
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Summary

December 3, 2010:
A piece in the online magazine Salon tells of a recently-leaked internal FBI memo that some news organizations have latched onto. It is in regards to a new Barbie doll that has a built-in video camera. The doll also has an LCD display hidden on her back and a USB cord allowing kids to upload their videos to a computer. The memo raises the possiblility that such a toy might be used by pedophiles to make child pornography.

A former FBI agent interviewed by Salon, who specialized in investigating sex crimes, says that this danger is seriously overhyped. But since local TV news programs live on hype, and outraged parents always make good video clips, prepare for angry boycotts of Barbie.

Source

Game and Story Use

  • It would be immoral to forment hysteria by promoting falsehoods. On the other hand, we at the Arcana Wiki aren't about Truth, we're about Weird and Interesting. If placing video cameras in children's toys increases your players' paranoia, we say go for it!
  • The PCs are breaking into the home of a crime boss to steal vital information. They manage to bypass all his security, except the doll they overlooked on his daughter's dresser…
    • Conversely, a villain with kids might ignore an apparently discarded child's doll lying in a corner.
    • "We would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those dang kids and their Malibu Barbie!"
  • A little girl has inadvertantly recorded an important secret on her Video Barbie. Now spies from all over are trying to get that doll!
  • In a 1984-style dystopia there are cameras everywhere!!!
  • Speaking of dystopia, this would be an ideal tool for the typical statist tactic of getting children to inform on their parents for dissent or other thoughtcrimes.
  • Other kinds of disguised camera are a common piece of spy gear.
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