Those of you with kids, beware. In fact, everyone beware. It’s Christmas time and a lot of kids get toys as gifts. Toys that some people blame for causing violence in our society.

The Lion & Lamb Project has released its annual report of what the group calls the “dirty dozen” – the top 12 toys parents should avoid giving to their kids because they cause violence among children.

Anti-violence advocates use very little logic when it comes to making a case that a simple toy causes a kid to act aggressively.

The Lion and Lamb Project is an advocacy group dedicated to stopping “the marketing of violence to children,” according to the organization’s Web site.

The organization does so in two ways.

It works with parents and other “concerned adults” to reduce the demand of these violent toys.

Lion & Lamb also works with people in the industry and the government to reduce the supply of these horrific pieces of plastic.

Daphne White, head of the organization, was quoted on CNN.com as saying “[Children] still cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality until about 8.

That is why they believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and monsters under the bed.”

Really, or do children believe in these things because parents feed them the lies as part of tradition? Think about it, if a 6-year-old kid was told by Mom and Dad that Santa wasn’t real, he or she probably wouldn’t believe in him anymore.

And how about some of the toys on the list of their “dirty dozen?”

There’s “Rock `Em Sock `Em Robots.” This toy is recommended for children ages 6 and up. A caption on the box reads “customize and pulverize.” But it gets worse. The toy’s Web site says, “This neck-wrenching head collector says winning is as easy as taking candy from a baby’s intestines.”

Of course this sent Lion and Lamb into a stage of disbelief. Come on, “intestines?” Isn’t that going a bit too far?

Well, probably not. If Lion and Lamb listened to what it says, they wouldn’t be worried whatsoever. After all, kids that can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy probably would have a little trouble finding their way around the Internet. And if for some reason they can find their way around in the world of unlimited information, they might have trouble understanding what “neck-wrenching” means.

Did White forget she is dealing with people who think monsters are under their beds?

If they do have the capability, the toys out there are one of the last things I am worried about.

And how about this, the new video game for Game Boy Advance – “Super Street Fighter II: Turbo Revival.”

Lion & Lamb seems to disapprove of this because it “encourages first-graders to `wreak havoc on your opponent and become the best street fighter in the world.'”

Once again it comes down to the intelligence of your average first-grader. I must have been a bit slow when I was 6.

I had no idea what “wreak havoc” meant. And I’m willing to bet most 6-year-old kids don’t, either.

The Lion and Lamb Project ignores what really needs to be addressed – parenting.

Parents who consider what Lion and Lamb says when purchasing a toy for their kid are the people who frighten me. If someone doesn’t want their kid to play with toys of a violent nature, that’s fine.

But don’t think that if your kid plays “Doom” he or she is going to take a gun to school. It’s just not likely.

If parents buy a game or a toy that might make The Lion and Lamb Project’s “Dirty Dozen,” they need to explain to the difference between reality and fiction.

Simply educate your kid. You’ll be surprised how much it can help.

Zach Calef is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Cedar Rapids. He is an assistant news editor of the Daily.