Would you let YOUR child play at plastic surgery? Thousands sign petition to ban apps that encourage kids to ‘slice virtual patients apart using scalpels and syringes'

  • The petition by Endangered Bodies has attracted more than 5,000 signatures 
  • It was sparked by an app called ‘Plastic Surgery Simulator’ aimed at children
  • It's one of many available for download through Apple, Amazon and Google 

By Khaleda Rahman For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:48 EST, 2 February 2017 | Updated: 01:48 EST, 2 February 2017

Thousands of Australians have signed a petition urging the removal of plastic surgery games aimed at children from app stores.

Danni Rowlands stumbled across ‘Plastic Surgery Simulator’ and was horrified to discover that it was one of many free cosmetic surgery games available for download on the Apple, Amazon and Google app stores.

The game allows players to alter the features on an animated character in a surgical cap with options available for altering various features, including the skin, eyes, lips, nose and legs.

Thousands of Australians have signed a petition set up by Danni Rowlands (right) urging the removal of plastic surgery games aimed at children from app stores

Its description explains: ‘Every girl dreams of a delicate face and stunning figure. If makeup can’t give you the beauty you want – you can turn into a Victoria’s Secret model at once!’

Ms Rowlands, representing Endangered Bodies Australia, a non-profit group which aims to challenge the 'current toxic culture that promotes negative body image,' set up a petition on Change.org.

It is one of eight aimed at different regions of the world – which has attracted more than 5,000 signatures so far.

On the page, she wrote: ‘As a mother of a daughter and son, I truly hope that as my children grow, I can teach and show them how to respect their bodies and that they know their appearance does not determine their lovability, success or happiness in life.

‘Plastic Surgery Simulator’ (above) is one of many cosmetic surgery games aimed at kids

Ms Rowlands warns that rather than being harmless, such games could have serious consequences on children and their mental health

The game allows players to use scalpels and syringes to alter various features, including the skin, eyes, lips, nose and legs

‘Parenting has never been easy but with technology constantly advancing and our society’s obsession with appearance and perfection intensifying all the time, I feel it has become even more challenging to raise self-assured, body confident and resilient children.’

She added: ‘These free apps, targeting our children introduce the concept of cosmetic surgery far too young, encouraging children to look for faults and flaws in appearance and to see permanently, surgically changing a person’s features as a solution – as a game - which it most definitely is not.

‘What upset me most was the accompanying descriptions which in a few words, manage to reduce our girls and boys to meaningless objects, where looking perfect is the most important attribute.’

 The games encourage users to ‘slice virtual patients apart using scalpels and syringes'

Ms Rowlands added that rather than being harmless, such games could have serious consequences on children and their mental health.

She also said the games encourage users to ‘slice virtual patients apart using scalpels, syringes and other tools.’

‘By making cosmetic surgery apps available for download, Apple, Google and Amazon are allowing companies to stoke and profit from the insecurities of children,’ she added.

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