Fidget toys are not a new idea nor trend but recently, due to TikTok and other platforms, their popularity has soared. The most hyped one recently has been NeeDohs, which is a brand of squishy fidget toys. NeeDohs come in all different shapes and sizes, some appearing as simple cubes and others shaped like a gumdrop. Their trendy popularity signified mass consumerism in which purchasing these fidget toys is an end in itself.

When trends like these occur, they lead individuals to purchase large amounts of the products. People overconsume them, which can be detrimental for several factors. Specifically in this case, influencers have started buying the fidgets in bulk and selling them out in major national retailers in one trip. Seeing these people buy the products in bulk, individuals are starting to overspend and overconsume these products that don’t need to be purchased frequently. It causes short-term excitement from the purchases that fades quickly into nothing.

The environment also suffers from fidgets’ popularity. When trends like this die down, many of these products will just end up in landfills or as litter. Furthermore, overproduction of products can lead to more pollution and carbon emissions, and in a world where that is already a severe issue, these toys can have severe consequences on the environment. NeeDohs specifically are made of synthetic materials that build up and aren’t recyclable. They also have a short lifespan, easily being popped, torn, or drying out, leading to people buying new ones, which increases waste. The overconsumption of these products is a significant issue, and whether or not the products themselves are inherently useful is up for debate.

Due to their popularity, many students have begun bringing them to school purportedly to help them focus. However, there is a small number of individuals for whom these toys truly benefit and can properly serve their therapeutic purpose. While intended for individuals with ADHD or intense anxiety, many who may not need fidgets use them distractively for themselves and for those around them in classes. Many people are just buying the products for the “trend” and not to actually use them for their legitimate purpose.