Why Your Children SHOULDN'T Have Huggy Wuggy

Although the "Huggy Wuggy" stuffed animal is popular with children, it's not just an innocent toy. Discover its potential risks.

Written and verified by the dentist Vanesa Evangelina Buffa.

Last update: 14 May, 2024

In recent times, a character from the digital world has managed to cross screens and sneak into the lives of children. Huggy Wuggy, the protagonist of the terrifying adult video game Poppy Playtime, has taken the form of a stuffed animal and is within the reach of the little ones.

Although some children find it exciting to have this sinister-looking doll, there’s a potential risk that parents should be aware of. Here’s why you should avoid getting your kids interested in this stuffed animal.

What is Huggy Wuggy?

Huggy Wuggy and his sidekick Kissy Missy are the main characters in Poppy Playtime, a horror video game for adults created by MOB Games. The game’s setting is an abandoned toy store that a former employee explores by solving puzzles. If you fail, Huggy Wuggy will hug you to death.

Despite the cute and endearing name, this character is a blue, furry monster with sharp teeth and a creepy appearance. When he catches his victims, he finishes them off by hugging them so tightly that they can’t breathe.

Although the Poppy Playtime game is rated +12, the game is popular among many little ones below this age level. Likewise, this virtual monster has managed to transcend its original videogame and take over applications such as Roblox and Minecraft or social networks such as YouTube and TikTok.

One of its most popular videos shows the blue character performing a catchy song about hugging and squeezing until he explodes. In addition, several Youtubers have created creepy songs and videos about this stuffed animal. Hence, it’s current popularity and fame.

Although these productions aren’t intended for children, they can easily end up on unsupervised screens. Even if your child’s cell phone has parental controls, these videos with harmless titles often escape them.

The Huggy Wuggy plush toy and its dangers

A study conducted in Russia showed that many children want to own this stuffed animal because of the popularity of the character. More than a simple play toy, owning this character’s doll would give them prestige with their peers.

However, owning the Huggy Wuggy plush toy, watching his videos, or playing Poppy Playtime can expose children to a macabre message. In this story, hugging ceases to be something that’s kind and loving and becomes a way to harm others.

Unfortunately, this distorted behavior has transcended into the playground environment, where many children try to replicate the threats and intense hugs, seeking the pleasure of causing discomfort or even harm to their peers. The normalization of this type of aggressive behavior can have negative consequences on children’s emotional and social development.

Although Huggy Wuggy says it is, hugging someone until they’re out of breath isn’t fun. It’s dangerous and shouldn’t be normalized.

This is how promoting harmful behaviors under the guise of entertainment can contribute to the creation of a toxic school environment and affect the quality of interactions between children.

Moreover, while this character’s videos and games don’t feature graphic violence or gore, they depict a horror story that’s not appropriate for children. The suspense and fear caused by this product may provoke discomfort, nightmares, or anxiety in children.

How to address this phenomenon

Children shouldn’t see or play with the Huggy Wuggy plush toy. Despite its childish appearance, the creators of the character themselves emphasize that it’s a product for adults.

Just the same, its games, videos, and accessories are accessible to little ones. So, it’s up to adults to deal with the situation. Here are some tips that can help you.

Educate yourself in order to educate

It can be difficult to keep up with every new platform, app, game, and social media trend. Have a dialogue with your child about current fads and find out what they’re all about.

Don’t generate curiosity

If your child doesn’t show interest or talk about Huggy Wuggy or Poppy Playtime, don’t name them. Your concern about the topic may arouse their curiosity and lead them to seek out inappropriate content they didn’t know about.

Talk to your child about the game

Take an interest in their opinion and expose your thoughts, criticisms, and concerns. You can talk about the messages behind the character and how imitating their actions can hurt others.

Let them know you’re there for them

The images and messages of the stuffed animal may be frightening and confusing to your child. Tell your little one that you understand and that they can count on you to talk about what this character triggers in them. If necessary, ask your child to show you the disturbing video or game so you can follow the appropriate reporting procedures.

Keep an eye on what your children consume on the Internet

Many videos or video games can escape parental control, so you’ll have to make an effort and be attentive to your children’s web surfing. If necessary, you should take measures to limit their exposure to inappropriate content.

Encourage respect

Exposing Huggy Wuggy ‘s inappropriate message can be an opportunity to teach your children about boundaries and the importance of playing safely and respectfully.

Choose safe toys

Imagination and play are essential for children’s development. That’s why you should be aware of the potential risks associated with certain toys, such as the Huggy Wuggy plush toy.

Children’s safety, both physical and mental, should be the priority when selecting a toy. The recommended age, the purpose of the game, and the characteristics of the characters are also aspects to consider. Open conversations with your child and supervision will help you choose fun and harmless options.