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‘Baby Shaker’ iPhone App: Reactions Worse?

There’s bad taste then there astronomically horrible decision making. The popular Apple iPhone has recently apologized for the bad taste in an application called ‘Baby Shaker game’ where you quiet crying babies by (presumably) shaking  the iPhone.

Not surprisingly, especially with something this outright offensive, there was a lot of outrage.  Family members of children who suffered at the hands of someone have understandably expressed their disgust.

This app was in very poor taste. I can’t understand how any company could condone, let alone release, a game to teach young people to shake babies or to make fun of a form of child abuse that could cause death.

(Source)

Shaken Baby Syndrome, or Abusive Head Trauma as it is now known happens after someone shakes a baby.  It causes massive brain injuries and the babies that do survive usually have a dramatic lowering of their quality of life due to the mental problems associated with the abuse.

What’s a bit more disturbing that the app itself is the reaction from tech bloggers.
This letter is from someone concerned over the game itself:

“Apple displayed extreme recklessness in launching this application and the results were immediate and disturbing. Below are a few quotes from journalists and editors based on our press release who prove the seriousness of your actions,” the letter said.

The blogger’s reactions:

“I know! That baby shaker thing is so funny! We’ll mention your support in the review.” wrote John Biggs, editor-in-chief, CrunchGear;

“Uh, it’s a joke.” said Ken Layne, managing editor, Wonkette.com;

“Learn to take a joke,” snapped Richard Nalley, senior editor, ForbesLife;

And then, the ever so serious The New York Times, which likened the campaign to get rid of Baby Shaker, not to a group that can’t take a “joke,” but “censorship.”

It’s a far cry from censorship.  If they like it or not, the iPhone’s app store is not a public place.  It is a private business’ website.  Much like the one’s they write for, which I am sure they delete comments that are deemed ‘abusive’ to themselves or their staff (funny how that works).  

Some quote from here.

Related posts:

1. Selling Newborn Pictures: For Better or For Worse?
2. Baby Names – Hot, Unique, and Common
3. Messages Signaled by a Crying Baby
4. Baby Product Review: Fisher Price Baby Grand Piano
5. Parenting Tips for Helping Baby Sleep Through the Night

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