What's happened
A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand ingested up to 100 high-powered magnets bought online, leading to emergency surgery for intestinal damage. Despite a ban since 2013, enforcement remains difficult as online marketplaces sell these dangerous products cheaply and without strict age verification.
What's behind the headline?
This case underscores the persistent challenge of regulating online sales of hazardous products, especially those marketed as toys. The strong magnetic force of neodymium magnets makes them particularly dangerous when ingested, causing tissue necrosis and requiring surgery. Despite legal bans, online marketplaces like Temu continue to sell these magnets, highlighting gaps in enforcement. The incident reveals a need for stricter oversight and better parental supervision of children's online purchases. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of current regulations and the responsibility of e-commerce platforms to prevent sale of dangerous items. Moving forward, authorities will likely intensify efforts to monitor and restrict such sales, but the global nature of online commerce complicates enforcement efforts.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the case highlights enforcement difficulties of the 2013 ban, with online marketplaces allowing children to access magnets cheaply. The New Zealand Medical Journal details the severity of the injuries, with surgeons removing necrotic tissue caused by magnetic clumping. The NY Post emphasizes the ongoing availability of these magnets online, despite the ban, and Temu's internal review efforts. All sources agree that enforcement remains a key challenge, with online platforms like Temu under scrutiny for not doing enough to prevent illegal sales. The articles collectively illustrate the tension between regulation and online commerce, and the urgent need for improved oversight to protect children.
How we got here
New Zealand banned the sale of small, high-powered magnets in 2013 due to health risks, but enforcement is challenging because these magnets are still accessible online. The magnets are marketed as toys or stress relievers and are often attractive to children, increasing the risk of ingestion and serious injury.
Go deeper
Common question
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How Did a Child Swallow 100 Magnets Bought Online?
A recent incident in New Zealand has brought attention to the dangers of online marketplaces selling high-powered magnets. Despite bans since 2013, these magnets are still accessible to children, leading to serious health risks. Many parents wonder how such products slip through regulations and what dangers they pose. Below, we explore common questions about child safety, online sales of dangerous toys, and how to protect your kids from hidden hazards online.
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Why Are High-Powered Magnets Still Available Online Despite Bans?
Despite a ban on high-powered magnets since 2013, these dangerous toys are still accessible online, posing serious health risks to children. How are they still getting through regulations, and what can parents do to keep their kids safe? Below, we explore the ongoing challenges in enforcing safety laws and what you need to know about these hazardous products.
More on these topics
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New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands, covering a total area of 268,021 square kilometres.
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Temu is an online marketplace operated by e-commerce company PDD Holdings, which is owned by Colin Huang. It offers heavily discounted consumer goods, mostly shipped to consumers directly from China. By April 2025, the platform had expanded its operations