Parents say "Feels like a real knife, dangerous for a toy"
Recommended for age 14 but available for elementary students
These days, model toys made to resemble real knives are becoming popular among elementary school children, raising concerns and calls for caution.
On the 18th, YTN reported that parents are increasingly worried about model knife toys that can be easily purchased at stationery stores and unmanned shops near schools.
An 18 cm long toy knife made of alloy material that is popular among elementary school students in the Cheongju area of Chungbuk. [Photo by YTN]
Posts warning about the dangers of toy knives have recently appeared in online communities where parents are active. One netizen, identifying as a parent, said, "I saw children playing with a toy knife that sinks in when pressed by hand at the playground," adding, "They ran toward their friends and pretended to stab each other with the toy knives while laughing." The parent also mentioned that they warned their children and instructed them to keep the model knives in their bags.
Another parent on a mom caf? said about the model knife play, "(According to my child) the friends call it a murder game." Another parent said, "Although it’s a toy knife, I saw children at the playground stabbing each other in the side, abdomen, and neck as if in a movie," adding, "I don’t understand why such toys are sold or where to report this."
Posts warning about the dangers of toy knives have recently appeared in online communities mainly frequented by parents. A netizen who identified as a parent said, "I saw children playing with a toy knife that sinks in when pressed by hand at the playground," adding, "They ran toward their friends and poked them with the toy knives while laughing together." They also mentioned that they warned the children and instructed them to put the toy knives in their bags. [Photo by Naver Cafe]
There have been cases leading to actual accidents. According to YTN’s report, at an elementary school in Cheongju City, a student playing with a model knife recently caused injuries to a passing female student’s head and a male student’s left arm, both of whom are receiving treatment.
YTN reported that among elementary students in the Cheongju area, a model knife resembling a traditional Southeast Asian sword made of alloy with a total length of 18 cm is becoming popular. This model knife can be held in one hand and swung, or the fingers can be inserted into a ring on the handle to spin it.
The parent of the injured student told YTN, "I can only think of it as a weapon," adding, "It’s metallic, not rubber, and a solid piece of metal, so I don’t consider it a toy."
Although the recommended age for use is marked as 14 years and older, it can be purchased regardless of age at stationery stores near elementary schools. Moreover, the product is reportedly not certified with basic national integrated safety marks such as the KC mark. Regarding this, the Chungbuk Office of Education told the media, "This is the first time we have confirmed such a case. We will notify schools and education support offices about these dangerous weapons through such cases and photos, conduct a full investigation of sales around schools, and prevent their sale."
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