The Elf on the Shelf - Apparently it is Creepy

So I was never bothered by The Elf on the Shelf when I was a kid.  We never had one in my house, but the relatives we visited every Christmas did, so I grew up with them as part of my Christmas traditions.  I always thought they were cute and harmless.  But apparently I was wrong, as they are creepy, scary, and subversive, according to the news.  Seriously, just Google The Elf on the Shelf news and see for yourself.  Here are are a few of the articles:

 Just look at those eyes! The Elf on the Shelf is creeping out parents everywhere
NEWS.com.au - ‎Dec 1, 2015‎
I am the kind of person who dislikes, no scrap that, I am absolutely freakin' petrified of clowns and creepy dolls. Elf on the Shelf is basically a Christmas themed creepy doll. Have you seen those eyes? If you didn't think Toy Story was real those ...

Popular Christmas toy is 'training kids to live in a surveillance state ...
Telegraph.co.uk - ‎Dec 1, 2015‎
Elf on the Shelf - a Christmas-themed toy so popular in the US that it's emergence each December is now described as 'traditional' - has been criticised in a new paper from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which warns that the toy teaches ...

The Elf on the Shelf is watching you
Santa Rosa Press Democrat (blog) - ‎Dec 4, 2015‎
Is the Elf on the Shelf Santa's little helper or is he something far more sinister? That Elf occupying millions of American homes during the month of December has come under scrutiny by researchers who claim the popular Christmas doll sends a scary ...

 25 Elf on the Shelf Photos That Will Haunt Your Holiday Nightmares
E! Online - ‎Dec 1, 2015‎
"It's a fun-filled Christmas tradition that's captured the hearts of children everywhere who welcome home one of Santa's scout elves each holiday season," reads the cheery description on the website. "The elves are magical helpers that help Santa Claus ...

5 Naughty Elf On The Shelf Ideas
Huffington Post Canada - ‎Dec 3, 2015‎
The creepy looking doll was created from the 2005 book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, and just like in the book, the plush toy is supposed to watch over children at night and report any mischief to Santa in the North Pole. Whether or not ...

Elf on the Shelf: Helpful tool for parents or something more sinister?
CBC.ca - ‎Nov 30, 2015‎
Parents have long warned misbehaving children of what might await them when they open their stocking on Christmas morning. In the past few ... 'Elf on a Shelf' tradition meets the internet, gets creepy · 'Elf on the Shelf' is anywhere but in Edmonton ...

Scary Creepmas, everybody!  The holiday movie reviews will be back tomorrow, when "Your Weird Uncle" reviews 2008's The Children.  Until then, don't turn your back on The Elf on the Shelf!