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Videos showing a black baby doll being beaten, dragged and thrown sparked outrage online, with users calling them disturbing and questioning how they spread across social media.
It started as a viral clip and quickly turned into copycat videos facing backlash. (Photo: Instagram/cnnnews18)
A series of videos showing a black baby doll being beaten, dragged and thrown have sparked outrage on Chinese social media. Many users say the clips are disturbing and wonder how such content could be shared so widely. The trend has now spread outside China as well, adding to the online backlash. Critics are raising concerns about violence in the videos and how the game is being used and promoted across platforms.
Reports also say that regulators in several regions are now looking closely into the game and related content. The growing controversy has also sparked a broader debate about online behavior and what type of content should be allowed on social media.
How the online trend started
A voiceover in the clip explains that videos of a black baby doll being beaten, dragged and thrown were widely circulated across Chinese social media before spreading to other countries and sparking more violent reactions. She says many viewers appeared to treat the doll in a violent manner, leading to criticism online.
According to Chinese state media Xinhua, the trend started with a vlogger who jokingly treated a stress reliever toy like a child and named it “Natasha.” The situation escalated after the vlogger accidentally dropped the toy in a video, damaging it. The clip went viral and soon led to many copycat videos appearing across social media.
Reports say some sellers later joined in by going further with the trend, showing the toy being poked or cut by sharp objects. Most posts associated with the original name have since been removed.
Increased criticism from users and authorities
The trend reportedly faced opposition from the China Consumer Association and state media, which said the videos focused too much on violence and included content that could be harmful to minors.
While criticism within China has mainly focused on the violent scenes, some users outside the country have raised concerns about possible racist undertones after the videos spread globally.
Reports also indicate that regulatory agencies in several regions in China have begun targeted inspections related to the game.
Get to know the Natasha doll. This doll spread very quickly in China, where it was used as a doll to relieve stress
In viral videos on Douyin and Xiaohongshu, users punched, trampled, squeezed, stretched, threw, ripped, and poured hot or boiling water over the black Natasha doll.
Some clips… pic.twitter.com/AXqftTra38
– Norma Kay (@realnorma_kay) June 10, 2026
Mixed reactions flood social media
As the clips continued to spread, reactions online were divided. “This is sad,” one user said. “It’s getting worse,” another wrote.
Another comment said: “Imagine what they could do to a human,” while another said: “It’s like fighting with Dan the doll to relieve stress.”
One user added: “And it was supposed to be a black doll,” reflecting the ongoing controversy online.
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