Dangerous Toys; Brick Phones; Mannequin Graveyard
In this week's programme, an investigation by the British Toy and Hobby Association into potentially dangerous toys sold on online marketplaces.
Today, an investigation by the British Toy and Hobby Association finds that 85% of toys selected from those on sale on online marketplaces when tested could be dangerous to children. Shari Vahl talks to Kerri Atherton from the BTHA about how they conducted their testing and what they're calling on the Government to do about it.
*Correction*: In the programme we said that we had contacted eBay but they hadn't responded, however eBay had sent a response which had been missed. Their statement in response to the report by the BTHA said:
βConsumer safety is a top priority for eBay, and we welcome the BTHA's investigation. Our team had already removed six of the nine listings flagged by the BTHA as unsafe before they contacted us, and we swiftly removed the remaining three once notified. We have implemented block filter algorithms aimed at preventing unsafe and prohibited listings, and we use image recognition, plus regular monitoring by our in-house specialists, supported by AI, to identify any listings that may evade our filters. If we find an unsafe product, we remove it swiftly and alert any buyers. Our block filter algorithms, along with safety alert and recall filters, blocked over 32 million listing attempts in 2023.β
Also on the programme, the rising sales of 'brick phones' - we hear from one parent about why he gave his son one when he went to high school. Plus the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ's Zoe Kleinman talks about new products and innovation that could be coming down the track to plug the gap between 'dumb' and smart phones.
And we visit The Mannequin Graveyard where the figures that once modelled clothes in stores and shops go to be reborn as Halloween decor, art projects and music video props.
PRODUCER - CATHERINE EARLAM
PRESENTER - SHARI VAHL