'Massive mom fail': This popular holiday toy feeds on screams of terror

"I thought it would be the perfect Christmas present," Hilary Hard wrote in a viral Facebook post.

Like so many parents this holiday season, she purchased a gift for her little one from Amazon.

"Well, I couldn't wait for Christmas." She tested out the little furry toy a month ahead of the gift-giving holiday. 

"I’m amazed at how powerful the little motor is," Hard writes. "How fast the little legs move, how its creepy little eyes glow a lovely shade of radioactive green."

That's where the fun ended. The Hasbro toy chased after her son Leo, backing him into a corner and terrifying him.

"I yelled at it. The spider ran for it. Leo starts screaming," Hard wrote. "The louder he screams, the faster the spider pursued him."

Yellies are a new line of controversial toys. The spider-like, voice-activated pet encourages children to make noise – lots of noise. The louder the kid screams, the faster Yellies creepily scamper toward the sound. 

Whether its shrieks of joy or cries for help, the continuous loud outbursts needed to enjoy the toy's main functionality can quickly put a damper on any plans for a quiet, peaceful holiday season. 

Target and Amazon sell the toys for $14.99. 

The review section of a number of platforms, parents have shared their thoughts.

One Amazon customer writes, "Kids are never loud enough, so I appreciate that this gives them the freedom to yell and be louder. I know that parents everywhere will be writing Thank You notes to this toys creator. Especially at 3am when their kid wakes up and plays with this!" 

Another writes, "Fun and funny kids love it." 

On Twitter, reaction to Yellies ranged from "horrible idea" and "the stupidest toy ever created" to "kinda cute."

Twitter user @AMommin writes, "If someone gives your kid a #yellies toy this Christmas... they hate you #truth #worstchristmasgiftever."

Twitter user Melanie Bracewell writes: "Just saw a kids toy advertised as 'yellies' with the tagline 'the louder you yell the faster they go' and there's no way these weren't invented by someone who hates parents."

A spokesperson from Hasbro told Buzzfeed News that the company "loved" hearing stories about the different reactions kids and families have had to Yellies, "whether they love the fuzzy little pets that move faster the louder you yell, or are reaching for their ear plugs."

"We are sure we have left many parents wondering, what the yell were they thinking?" the spokesperson said. 

Let Dalvin Brown know what you think aboutYellies on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown