Natasha doll

Natasha is a term for a style of squishy baby doll marketed as a stress reliever in countries such as China. Although Natasha dolls are available in multiple colors, the most popular one appears to be black. The product, and social media videos featuring it, have drawn criticism for promoting harmful behaviors and anti-black racism.[1][2][3] Some Natasha dolls reportedly contain high levels of hazardous substances like formaldehyde.[4]

History

Multiple manufacturers in China produce the dolls, making the trend’s origin unclear.[3] The name Natasha was reportedly chosen because it sounds like a Chinese dialectical word for a trash can.[5]

Trend

Videos featuring Natasha dolls often depict the doll being stretched, squeezed, or otherwise treated violently.[6]

Backlash

Comments from social media users stating that black Natasha dolls were chosen over lighter skinned Natasha dolls due to the latter being "more human-like" or "too human" drew attention and criticism.[3][7][8][9] The China Consumers Association and State Administration for Market Regulation has removed some violent videos featuring Natasha dolls.[10] Some observers have compared the controversy surrounding the dolls to a trend in which real-life African children were mistreated in videos intended for Chinese social media audiences.[6][11][10]

References

  1. ↑ Couto, Analice; Kumari, Amita (2 June 2026). ""Explanation Made It More Racist": Viral 'Natasha' Doll Sparks Outrage As Disturbing Videos Spread Online". Bored Panda. Archived from the original on 13 June 2026.
  2. ↑ Harris, Vashti; Advance Local Express Desk (7 June 2026). "Viral Black stress-relief doll sparks widespread outrage over its videos depicting abuse". NJ.com. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Jidoun, Grace (8 June 2026). "'The White One Looks More Human': China Has a Viral Trend Built Around Brutalizing a Black Baby Doll, and the Videos Coming Out Are Deeply Disturbing". Atlanta Black Star. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "China's Viral 'Natasha' Stress Doll Dumped After Formaldehyde Fears". NewsGlobeNow. 18 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Bandi, VL (31 May 2026). "Natasha Doll Controversy Sparks Global Outrage". Echos News ZA. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 Dixon, Delaina (9 June 2026). "The Natasha Doll Controversy, Explained: Has It Crossed Into Real-World Abuse?". Ebony. Archived from the original on 10 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Molly, Chebet (8 June 2026). "'Natasha dolls' cause global anger over alleged bias in viral toy videos". TNX.Africa. Standardmedia Entertainment. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Viral "Natasha doll" stress toy trend in China sparks concern over Black infant imagery". Roya News. 7 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Phanyeko, Thobeka (10 June 2026). "The viral " Natasha Doll" trend sparks social media outrage". Glamour. Condé Nast. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  10. 1 2 Grundy, Tom (11 June 2026). "Natasha dolls: HK advocates decry 'dehumanising' Black baby toy trend". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  11. ↑ Laurent, Émilie (8 June 2026). "Marketed as a stress reliever in China, this black doll is sparking outrage". The Body Optimist. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
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