Banned Bandz? It's Back To School

Isn't that silly?

While not exactly new to the market, Silly Bandz have become all the rage...so much so that schools have begun to ban them from children's wrists. What are they? If you don't know, you've been missing for two years. These silicone, elasticized bracelets have been mega hot since they hit the internet in November of 2008. When the pack of 12 is opened, the bands might resemble animal shapes, the alphabet, or Justin Biever (really!). I have seen them designed for sports teams and holiday festivities as well...and they are popular.
Much of the popularity comes, of course, from the bright colors though the idea probably sprang from the "Livestrong" bracelets Nike has been promoting for sometime to help fund cancer research. In addition to the variety, these have become extremely tradable and collectible (think cheaper Beanie Babies). Schools have had such a difficult time with children focusing on the bands and not on schoolwork that some schools have begun to ban their appearance.
Robert Croak invented these novelty items in 2008, and sales have expanded (so to speak) from a few thousand dollars per year to more than 66 million dollars per year. The fact that each pack is relatively inexpensive puts these must-haves within the range of just about any grade schooler...or movie star. I won't even begin to tell you the names of the rich and famous who sport the latest fad in "jewelry." Trust me, though, this will be a short-lived fad, and while Croak will have made his mark, the rest of us will simply have more elastic to use on bread bags.
BTW, these are NOT to be confused with the various-hued wrist bands junior high school students wear to show off their experimental nature with members of the opposite sex (different colors mean different acts performed or a willingness to perform them). That's a whole OTHER thing.
School is a lot more complicated now.