Pediatrician warns against violent toys

DALLAS, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Beware of toys with a social-emotional risk and avoid giving gifts with violent messages, a U.S. pediatrician advised.

"Parents should be very careful in selecting toys that may encourage violent behaviors, such as toy guns, knives, bow and arrows or computer games and violent videos." Dr. Joel Steinberg, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said in a statement.

Steinberg said he believes youngsters who play "violent video games" aren't participating in real-life experiences.

"If they run into a roadblock on a computer game, they may destroy it, and that's not appropriate in real life," the physician said.

Besides avoiding toys that promote violence, Steinberg said parents should also be wary of:

-- Noise. If the sound a toy makes is too loud or irritating next to an adult ear, it could harm a child's hearing.

-- Strings more than 12 inches in length on pull-toys that could be a strangulation hazard for babies.

-- Parts that can break off a toy and become a choking hazard.

-- Toys too advanced for the child's age or skill level.