‘A page out of the criminal rehab book’: Ankle monitor for kids sparks fury

“The device straps onto your toddler’s leg and puts in the work 24/7 to make sure they’re staying where they belong,” the dad reveals in a viral video.

As parents we all have our challenges.

But when you’re out in the big wide world, or you think you’ve finally got your kid to bed, there is no child more difficult than The Runner.

They’re fearless, maybe a little foolish, and they take off on you at any opportunity.

A TikTokker called Justin has found a solution for this problem, stopping The Runner in their tracks. It's an ankle monitor for kids, and he demonstrated the device in a recent video.

“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,” the voiceover begins.

“That was my problem too until recently when I found this ankle monitor in Walmart.

“This brand is a godsend. Taking a page out of the criminal rehabilitation playbook and applying it to children.”

He explained that the device straps onto a toddlers leg allowing parents to track their whereabouts, designate no-go zones in the house and administer minor shocks if a child steps over the invisible line.

Pretty awful huh? TikTok thought so too, until they found out the video, device and app were fakes.

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The device was marketed on TikTok. Photo: TikTok

Kid ankle monitor called inhumane

The box reads “My First Ankle Monitor” and features a little boy sporting the product on his leg. The red plastic monitor box is enormous against his little calf.

The internet was furious about the device, calling it “inhumane” and slamming the idea of “putting kids under house arrest”.

But not everyone fell for the prank. The clues are right there in the video if you’re looking for it – the brand name on the device reads “Little Yikes” instead of “Little Tikes”, and the box blurbs are also a dead giveaway.

“Make sure that little snot stays in its room!” and “Prepare your mini me for its future house arrests” they read.  

The warning is similarly satirical. “Warning: they will not stay. You must be first. Try using a bike lock.”

The box blurbs were all satire. Photo: TikTok

Instagram reacts to kid ankle monitor

TikTok followers were taken in by the prank, but Instagram followers caught on quickly.

“The most abusive thing you can do a child is name him Brantleigh,” said one person, referring to the made-up name of the prankster’s made-up son.

“This is such a relief,” said another person. “I thought I would have to start putting my alcohol, firearms and broken glass collection up where my kid can’t reach or lock my things up. In MY house! Now you’re telling me I can just zap my little monster instead!”

The device is a collaboration between @legbootlegit, also known by the pseudonym Justin, and an artist @shampoooty. The artist created the device while Justin did the packaging and the fake app.

Originally published as ‘A page out of the criminal rehab book’: Ankle monitor for kids sparks fury