Brazil debates laws regulating hyper-realistic baby dolls

Brazil is experiencing a moral panic over hyper-realistic "reborn" baby dolls, leading to the introduction of approximately 30 bills in various levels of government. These bills aim to regulate the dolls' use in public spaces and healthcare. The controversy escalated after a man mistook a real baby for a doll and slapped it, sparking widespread criticism and ridicule on social media. Politicians, primarily from the right, have capitalized on the trend, introducing legislation that often addresses issues that are not actually occurring. The backlash has targeted collectors and artists, with some receiving threats. Experts suggest the controversy reflects broader societal issues, including the pathologizing of women and the search for targets of online outrage.