"NeeDohs have become popular among adults and children with autism and anxiety, stressed-out teens, and really all school-age kids. Maybe too popular."
"Psychologists have found that tweens and young teens are uniquely sensitive to their peers' influence and judgment; in children ages 10 to 12, hormone receptors in the brain regions linked to pleasure and motivation multiply rapidly."
"In the first three months of this year, we went through about three times the inventory that we sold in 2025, Paul Weingard, the CEO of NeeDoh's maker, Schylling, told me."
"Some kids skipped the first hour of school to nab theirs, indicating the lengths to which children will go to obtain these trendy toys."
NeeDohs, squishy stress-relieving toys, have become extremely popular among children and adults, especially those with autism and anxiety. Their viral status on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has led to a significant increase in demand. Stores report being sold out, with shipments quickly disappearing. The popularity among tweens is driven by social influences, as they are particularly sensitive to peer pressure. The CEO of NeeDoh's maker, Schylling, noted that inventory has tripled in demand compared to previous years, highlighting the unexpected surge in popularity.
Read at The Atlantic
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