A mom has sparked a heated debate after posting a video to TikTok of her baby learning to swim via a controversial method.
The video shows TikToker Simone Christensen's 14-month-old baby being put to a so-called "surprise float test"--a method of teaching babies to swim by tossing them into a pool and letting them fend for themselves.
The method has been used for ages, but it looks absolutely terrifying.
See for yourself in Christensen's TikTok below.
Christensen captioned her post:
"I know it looks scary but because of these classes she can save herself in an emergency!"
On the surface, the video looks absolutely gasp-worthy. Christensen's baby daughter is tossed fully clothed into the pool, where she flails around in the water for a few moments before righting herself and floating with her head above the water.
The practice is definitely controversial. Advocates say with proper prior instruction, the float test is a good way to teach babies to save themselves from drowning were they to fall into water. b
Babies can drown in just two inches of water, after all.
But some pediatricians warn the shock of the test may be traumatizing to an infant.
In Christensen's case, she clarified in comments and follow-up videos her daughter has been taking months of swimming lessons, three times a week, at a swim academy near her home.
And, she clarified, babies only take the float test once and her baby passed with flying colors.
But not everyone was impressed. If you found yourself wondering what on Earth was going on here, you aren't the only one.
Popular TikTok comedian Jordan Raskopoulos put it best in her response to Christensen.
After showing a screen capture of Christensen's video of her baby taking the test, Raskopoulos deadpanned:
"What happens to the babies who fail the test?"
Before long, a heated debate ensued on TikTok. Many applauded Christensen for teaching her baby to save herself.
@how_bri_sees/TikTok
@cassiebordelon1/TikTok
@vetteygirl/TikTok
But others were mortified.
@pastelrainstorms/TikTok
@michelleprentis/TikTok
@99taquito/TikTok
And of course, Raskopoulous' question about what happens to babies who fail the test had plenty of people cutting up in the comments.
@doodoogolls/TikTok
@tanfreshpanda/TikTok
@robothobo/TikTok
@peepeep0op00o/TikTok
Methods aside, the American Academy of Pediatrics says all parents and babies over one year of age should know how to swim, to ensure that your baby does indeed one day need to do its taxes!
@WhiteHouse/X
@HomelandSecurityDems
