RANAU: An age-old toy that is making a comeback is leaving minors who play it bruised, even bloodied.
Called Lato-Lato, it involves a player holding the middle of the string and attempting to click two heavy balls tied separately but attached to a string.
A player needs to have a certain skill to play and those who are not skilled must be careful not to let anyone get a bump on the head, face and eyes or even a nosebleed after being hit.
Children who play lato-lato should be closely supervised by parents or seniors so that no child loses teeth or get a black eye due to playing the addictive game.
A Daily Express check revealed that teachers do not allow students to introduce the Lato-Lato or even bring the toy to school as it has nothing to do with positive learning activities at school.
Several parents also expressed concern and hoped the game is reclassified as prohibited because it had a bad effect not only on the children’s physical side but the cost burdened parents.
As the school session resumed on Wednesday after the long Chinese New Year break, it was found that some schools have already circulated warning for children not to get carried away with the toy or bring it to school.
“We know there is a phenomenon called ‘Lato-Lato’ and I request parents control their children who play the toy because they can be dangerous
“The school will take decisive action if the students bring the toy to the school area whether it is time or evening,” read one warning that was posted on the Parents and Teachers Whatsapp group of a primary school here.
