Just like singing carols and joyfully placing a star on the top of a Christmas tree, the Elf on the Shelf has become a worldwide tradition appreciated in the homes of many.

For those who may not know, the elf is a small doll that has supposedly been sent from Santa Claus at the North Pole in order to watch young children in their homes and see if they’ve been behaving. Each morning, the elf moves, or “flies”, to a different part of the house, encouraging children to wake up excitedly wondering where it’s hiding. Besides the sparks of happiness it brings, it’s also been very effective in improving behavior around Christmas season, as kids are consciously aware of  whether they will be placed on the naughty or nice list. At the end of each day, the elf makes a trip back to the North Pole so it can report to Santa Claus and fill him in on the child’s actions and performance for the time being.

However, it is believed by many that the Elf on the Shelf system is leaving harmful, long-lasting effects on children in various ways. It has the ability keep their lives centered around one big lie that will only lead them to mistrusting their parents once the truth is revealed in the future. Parents are so focused on discontinuing bad behavior that they neglect to realize how much they’re influencing the bad idea that the way a child acts should be dictated by the rewards they receive.

Everything told to a young individual should be intelligently and cautiously said, due to the fact that it will most likely stay in their minds as they continue to develop. The promotion of gullibility will also result as they begin to constantly believe concepts that are entirely false. Raising a child with imaginative creations will block them out from the rest of the corrupted world, keeping them from knowing the truth about real-life situations and aspects. $30 is being spent by families everywhere, all to trick their young ones for a cause that isn’t even the slightest bit noble.

“I enjoy the idea of the Elf on the Shelf because it gives motivation for kids to be nice to each other this time of year. No one can expect all children to be on their best behavior at every the moment! It’s not like we’re always on ours…  At least the elf on the shelf gives children the feeling of reward on Christmas Day, allowing them to believe they truly deserve their presents,” stated sophomore, Sebastian Carrero.

Overall, opinions vary greatly, some families choosing to keep the elf as an eternal tradition while others decide to toss it in the trash forever. It’s really all a matter of perspective with a choice that falls into the hands of parents everywhere.