Viral Video Of Teacher Giving Young Student 'Birthday Spankings' Leaves TikTok Divided

Opinions about an elementary school teacher who was caught on camera "birthday spanking" a young student have been mixed. In the video, the student prepared for impact as his teacher, beaming, brandished a wooden ruler. The kid was also laughing, thankfully. The video has gone viral on TikTok.

The student and teacher were participating in a tradition known as "birthday spankings," miming a spank for each year they are, plus "one to grow on."

Most commenters had no issue with this practice, saying it was a common tradition in North America. Some people, however, found the tradition a bit odd and uncomfortable.

One TikToker said he wouldn't continue the tradition if he were a teacher.

“If I was a teacher, the last thing you would see me doing is giving out birthday spankings to students. Because even if I was just doing it to be funny, people could see it in a very different light.”

One person, who was notably in the minority, commented on the lack professionalism.

@june_kk2/TikTok

But most people chimed in and said this wasn't really an issue.

@enrique.m420/TikTok

@krisb214/TikTok

Many pointed out that the child was clearly in on the joke.

@3xseeker/TikTok

@w.c.doublev/TikTok

Many shared their own experiences.

@nevaeh0439/TikTok

@justinangli/TikTok

@allynwillow/TikTok

@justic.for.fat.unicorns/TikTok

@pastelxpunk/TikTok

Some people admitted that they have since realized how odd their school's traditions were.

@savannahmeritt/TikTok

It looks like the tradition of birthday spankings is still going strong in some areas, even though the rumblings of cultural change are growing louder.