A recent incident on a flight from Guiyang to Shanghai has sparked widespread outrage in China, as two passengers locked a crying toddler in the airplane’s toilet in an attempt to silence her. The incident, captured on video, has ignited a heated debate on social media about the appropriate ways to handle crying children in public spaces, especially during flights.

The passengers involved claimed that their actions were intended to help other travelers who were disturbed by the child’s crying. They reportedly obtained the grandmother’s permission to “educate” the distressed child. In the video, one of the women can be heard telling the toddler that she would be allowed out of the bathroom only if she stopped crying. However, many online commenters condemned the women’s actions as cruel and lacking in empathy.

One of the women, identified as Gou Tingting, defended her decision on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok. She explained that her intention was to calm the child and ensure that other passengers could rest. Gou stated that she prefers to take action rather than remain a bystander in such situations. Despite her explanation, the backlash continued to grow, leading Gou to set her social media account to private.

The incident has raised broader questions about how to balance the needs of passengers on flights, particularly when it comes to the challenges parents face with young children. While some argue that passengers deserve a peaceful flight, others emphasize that young children, especially toddlers, cannot control their emotions and should not be punished for crying.

This debate reflects a larger global conversation about “no-kids zones” in public spaces. For instance, earlier this year, Corendon Dutch Airlines tested adult-only zones on its flights, and similar policies are being explored in cafes and restaurants in countries like South Korea. These measures continue to stir controversy, with some viewing them as discriminatory against parents, particularly women, who often bear the brunt of such restrictions.

The ongoing discussions highlight the complexities of public spaces and the diverse needs of their users, with no easy solution in sight.