Mom Insists Video of Toddler Wearing Ankle Weights Was a ‘Joke’ After Controversial Clip Gets Over 100 Million Views (Exclusive)

A video featuring a mother of four has sparked widespread discussion online after she joked about using ankle weights on her 18-month-old son to slow him down. Farryn Mathie, 35, from the United States, initially posted the clip to TikTok, where it quickly gained over 55 million views. The footage depicting her son Milo wearing the weights while walking in their yard was intended purely for humorous purposes but has since drawn both laughter and concern from viewers.

Mathie explained that she and her family have often remarked on Milo’s impressive speed compared to his peers. “People tell us almost daily how fast they think he is,” she shared in an interview. On one occasion, while enjoying some playtime outside, the family jokingly discussed methods to curb Milo’s energetic pace. This light-hearted banter led to the idea of putting ankle weights on him—a proposal Mathie initially found amusing, but soon reconsidered.

Early the next morning, feeling particularly drained, Mathie decided to place the ankle weights on Milo for a brief moment. Capturing the moment on video, she shared the footage with the caption: “Putting ankle weights on my 18-month-old. Just trying to slow down this toddler ’cause I’m tired.” Her tongue-in-cheek remark about Milo potentially developing toned legs quickly resonated with a vast audience.

The humorous intent of Mathie’s post did not go unnoticed, as it amassed an astonishing amount of views across social media platforms. The reaction included a flood of comments—one user quipped about the implications of having a ‘super baby,’ while another joked about the challenges of pursuing an exceptionally fit toddler in public.

However, not all feedback was light-hearted. Numerous commentators expressed serious concerns regarding the use of ankle weights for young children, particularly infants under the age of two. Medical experts have warned about potential risks associated with such practices. They highlighted developmental issues that could arise, such as gait abnormalities or damage to bone structure during a critical growth phase.

One commenter explained that a child’s skeletal development is still primarily composed of cartilage, along with active growth plates that require careful handling. They advised against any external pressures that could disrupt normal development, emphasising the importance of unweighted movement for acquiring motor skills properly.

Further conversations on the platform featured individuals expressing disbelief that the video, initially perceived as mere humour, could jeopardise a child’s health for the sake of an amusing post. “Risking a baby’s joint development for a few seconds of something that ‘looks cool’ on Instagram is wild,” remarked one user, reinforcing the sentiment shared by many health professionals.

In response to the growing discussions surrounding the video, Mathie took the opportunity to clarify that the weights were never intended for regular use. She reasserted that the video was just a fun moment that had unexpectedly reached a large audience. “It did slow him down for a minute; he is not ‘faster’ now,” she explained, stressing that they have not used the ankle weights again since that morning.

Acknowledging the feedback she has received, Mathie has stated the importance of listening to medical advice regarding her child’s health and development. She confirmed that the earlier incident had prompted her to heed the warnings from various commenters and experts about the potential risks associated with ankle weights for young children.

With the video attracting significant attention, Mathie’s experience serves as a reminder of the powerful influence of social media, both in terms of spreading joy and raising awareness about health and safety issues. As the online conversation around the implications of her post continues, Mathie hopes to focus on sharing more positive, health-conscious content in the future.