Unless you’ve been living under a metaphorical rock, you have to have at least heard of the fidget spinner; the newest addiction toy on the block. We look at what a fidget spinner is, other addictive toys that have preceded it and examine safety issues relating to fidget spinners. And if you want to see cute dogs trying to deal with them, here’s a peek.
This is a flat structured device with (usually) three lobes and a central bearing. Fidget spinners are made of plastic or metal. A Forbes article published in December 2016 described the fidget spinner as a “must have office toy”.
If you're the fidgety sort, this will clearly work for you. This video shows you 8 different ways to waste your time with a fidget spinner. Enjoy.
Catherine Hettinger got the idea for creating something to soothe and relieve pent up energy and to distract kids when she saw young boys throwing rocks at police officers in Israel. She wanted to promote peace and stumbled upon something she found to be very calming. Unfortunately, she no longer holds the patent to the device and as such has made absolutely no money from the current craze.
The device is actually marketed as a stress reliever and a device to improve concentration. It is also aimed at individuals with autism, ADHD and anxiety related problems. However, it has become wildly popular with kids and even adults, simply as a toy.
Kids use these in school to settle and focus, say teachers. However they are also very distracting. Some are noisy and also have lights. Many schools have either banned the devices or are considering doing this because of their disruptive nature.
A few years ago, children were obsessed with Pokémon cards, then with beyblades. They were collected, traded and kids competed to perform the most difficult tricks with them. A fidget spinner seems to be a latter day beyblade to me; a trend that will die a natural death with time.
First Forbes told us they were the must have toys; now they tell us about its hazards. Apart from the fact that they are distracting and kids can potentially fight over them, they present choking hazards, since pieces can break off and be swallowed. Hmmm, so fidget spinner are dangerous in the same way that most toys, all plastic bags and jelly are? Ho hum.
This dog is clearly completely nonplussed by the fidget spinner.
Is deeply, deeply suspicious of the strange spinning object!
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