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This article about the Easter bunny is republished here with permission from The Conversation. This content is shared here because the topic may interest Snopes readers; it does not,

however, represent the work of Snopes fact-checkers or editors.

All around the world many parents are preparing for Easter – possibly thinking of how Easter eggs will be hidden, how they will explain their delivery and perhaps bracing themselves for some

challenging questions about the Easter Bunny.

But before parents figuratively dust off the Easter Bunny myth for its annual delivery of fiction presented as fact, is there time to pause, mid-bounce, to examine whether engaging in this

deceit may be detrimental to our children?

Many are getting excited about the game they are going to play with their children, but this is a one-sided game where the children don’t know the rules; they’re participating in something

that’s presented to them as a fun reality.

Three major fantasy characters pervade Western culture: Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny.

Children tend to believe in these fantasy figures as a promotion by parents.

A harmless fun, part of upholding the question whether promoting such deceits is in children’s best interests. There has been surprisingly little research conducted to look at impacts our

societal investment in these figures has on children.

And while some – if not many – children may appear to suffer little ill effects when the deceit is unveiled, oft-quoted piece by science writer Melinda Wenner Moyer contains the idea fantasy

figures (again focusing on Santa) are not only beneficial for children’s cognitive development, but perhaps even necessary.

Psychologist William Irwin and philosopher David Johnson Studies show that lying as a parental tool is incredibly common.