Is Lego Turning Too Violent?

Lego products are getting increasingly violent as the company is locked in “arms race” with other toymakers to make more exciting toys.

15:55 24 May 2016

Researchers from the University of Canterbury has found that although the design of Lego brick has not changed over the years, the models released in the past 30 years have “increasingly aggressive themes.” They added that the company had shown “significant exponential increases of violence” which could e partly be seen in the number of weapons bricks the company sells.

 

The study led by Christopher Bartneck reads: “Nearly 30% of Lego sets contain at least one weapon brick, and this number does not even include weapons that consist of an assembly of non-weapon bricks.”

 

It added that Lego was embroiled in a “metaphorical arms race” as it sought to create exciting new products. However, the study said that the toys produced by the companies are still relatively harmless.

 

“Within the spectrum of available products today, Lego sets might still be comparatively or relatively harmless.”

 

Meanwhile, Lego said in a statement: “Products aim to discourage pretend violence as a primary play incentive. The designs are meant to enrich play with engaging conflict scenarios where aggression might be used for the purpose of overcoming imaginary evil.”