The TikTok video, captioned “Leaving Cancun is tough…I feel ya buddy,” has taken the online world by storm, amassing an astounding 10.7 million views and 1.8 million likes since its upload on April 13.

The controversial video showcased a child harness, or leash, attached to a backpack around the child, a tool commonly used to prevent children from wandering off or getting lost in public places. However, opinions on their use are vastly polarized, with some staunchly advocating for them, while others vehemently oppose the practice.

Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, chair of the injury prevention council at the American Academy of Pediatrics, falls into the latter group. He advises against using these devices, although it’s worth noting that there is limited data pointing to them as the cause of injuries. Moreover, there have been no recalls of such products by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The eight-second TikTok clip, shared by @cacadoodledoo83, aka Erica Shupe Hall, played The Bangles’ “Manic Monday” as the TikToker filmed herself by her luggage at the airport. At the start of the video, a mother can be seen dragging her son by using the leash attached to his backpack, attempting to make him follow her. While she walks slowly, occasionally glancing back at him, the boy, aged around 3 or 4, appears unresponsive, lying on the floor as he’s pulled along.

The video’s polarizing nature has led to over 26,300 comments, where viewers have expressed mixed opinions.

Some viewers appreciated the mother’s approach, with one TikToker stating, “As a mom, I approve. This is the best.”

Others focused on the child’s nonchalant behavior, with one viewer commenting, “It’s the amount of how unbothered that child is for me.”

Interestingly, the behavior displayed in the video is not uncommon between parents and their children, with another TikToker confessing, “Haha, I would and have done this.”

Another viewer considered the situation, saying, “If the kid was hurting, crying, [or] screaming then it would be different. My kids do this and even my grandkids did this.”

However, some vehemently disagreed with the method, with a TikToker admitting, “I’m really not for judging other moms, but this is a hard no for me.”

Another viewer suggested an alternative approach, stating, “I just ‘carry’ my child ‘at that point.’ I’m not dragging them on that dirty floor.”

Questions also emerged from one TikToker, pondering the video’s authenticity, asking, “Is that real? Who would drag a child, and no one is saying anything?”

The heated online discussion highlights the contentious issue of using child leashes and has sparked a broader conversation about parenting choices and child safety in public spaces. The debate continues as users express their diverse perspectives on this viral moment.