Setting boundaries for your children—or even just stopping them wandering off—is a challenge for all parents.
Whether sending them to the naughty step or restricting their screen time, getting kids to respect household rules can often be a frustrating, attritional experience for families.
It was perhaps with that in mind that a video showing a zapping ankle monitor designed for kids, went viral on TikTok this week, attracting tens of millions of views and the question of whether the shocking product was real.
The Claim
A TikTok by account legbootlegit, posted on August 1, 2023, and since viewed more than 30 million times, showed what appeared to be an ankle monitor for children.
The video shows a person picking up the item, which is branded in the style of Little Tikes, off a store shelf. A voiceover states: "If you're the parent of a young child and you're not getting enough sleep at night, I'm betting it's because your children will not stay in their room.
@legbootlegit omg as a parent I'm finally getting a good night's sleep 😭 tysm toddlersoftiktok parenting wow longervideos confessions
♬ right where you left me - bonus track - Taylor Swift
"That was my problem too until recently when I found this ankle monitor in Walmart."
The video shows how the product can be set up to monitor a child's location and shocking them if they move to any part of a property restricted via an adult-operated app.
The Facts
Comments underneath the TikTok included "abuse" and "Please tell me this is a joke."
It is a joke. The ankle monitor is not real.
But it is somewhat convincing due to it appearing shelved in a store, the item's professional-looking branding, photography, filming and a voiceover. The video itself however subtly gives it away.
The brand on the box and product is for "little yikes," not the real-life popular manufacturer Little Tikes.
There is also ad copy on the box which shows it is clearly intended as a joke, such as "Make sure that little snot stays in its room!," "Prepare your mini me for its future house arrests," and "See back panel for exclusive parole officer discount offer."
A warning sign at the top right of the box also reads: "They will not stay. You must be firm. Try using a bike lock."
The video's creator, LegBoot, has also produced other deceptive, humorous products such as an "AI-generated action figure."
They have used the "little yikes" branding on other fake toys before, such as a "Cute Lil' Terror Tots Figure," the box for which includes the quote: "I will hunt you down in your nightmares and feast upon your terror."
Legboot told Newsweek the idea was part of a collaboration with @shampoooty on Instagram, who has an ongoing art series called Kids Toys.
"Putting everything together probably took me around a month to do, since this is a hobby and I have two day jobs. I could have knocked it out in a few days otherwise," Legboot said.
"I've only gotten one email from someone who said they 'need a dozen of them as gag gifts'. I received lots of comments on social media from parents, especially of teens, who said 'I need this' or 'Where to buy?', but the majority of those comments were from people who understood the joke."
The Ruling
Satire.
The "ankle monitor" for children is not real. It was created and posted by a TikTok account that specializes in creating phony products.
Clues include the brand name ("little yikes") and ad copy on the box such as "Prepare your mini me for its future house arrests."
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek's Fact Check team
Update 8/16/23, 2:51p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Legboot.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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