Dad Faces Backlash After Giving Baby His First ‘Tattoo’ in Viral Video

When a dad's idea of a cute bonding moment leaves the internet divided—should babies get tattoos?

Sophia
Dad Faces Backlash After Giving Baby His First ‘Tattoo’ in Viral Video

The bond between a father and his child is often marked by milestones, from the first steps to the first words. But what if one of those milestones was a tattoo?

One dad recently sparked a wave of online debate after posting a video on TikTok where he gave his baby son his very first tattoo—well, sort of. The tattoo was an airbrush design, so it’s not permanent, but the idea of a baby being “inked” still raised eyebrows across the internet.

While tattoos have grown in popularity in recent years, they’ve also been subject to cultural scrutiny. Many people view tattoos as a form of personal expression, a rite of passage, or an art form, and for parents who have tattoos themselves, the idea of getting their children inked—whether temporarily or permanently—may seem like a fun bonding activity.

However, the idea of a baby with any sort of tattoo, even a non-permanent one, raises numerous concerns.

Is it appropriate? Does it send the wrong message about body autonomy? And perhaps most importantly—what’s the deal with letting a baby get a tattoo at all?

The video posted by TikTok user @stetsyboiii quickly went viral, amassing millions of views. In the clip, the dad is seen sitting with his baby son, who is comfortably perched on his lap as a tattoo artist airbrushes a design onto his tiny leg.

The tattoo itself—a red heart with “Mom” written across it—was simple, cute, and totally temporary, but the sight of a baby with a tattoo still left some viewers shaking their heads.

On one hand, there’s no harm in using an airbrush for a fun, harmless design that fades after a few days.

On one hand, there’s no harm in using an airbrush for a fun, harmless design that fades after a few days.

It’s a playful way for parents to share something they love with their children, especially if tattoos are part of the family culture.

In fact, studies show that fathers who have tattoos tend to form strong, expressive bonds with their children, often encouraging creative self-expression. This can help kids feel more comfortable with body art later on in life, should they choose to get tattoos themselves.

It’s a playful way for parents to share something they love with their children, especially if tattoos are part of the family culture.

However, many people were disturbed by the idea of putting any kind of tattoo on a baby, even temporarily.

Critics were concerned that it could be seen as an inappropriate form of baby “branding” or that it set a dangerous precedent for other parents to follow. The reality is, babies have no say in what goes on their bodies, and getting them “inked” for the sake of a cute photo op or social media fame could be seen as overstepping boundaries.

Furthermore, while this particular tattoo wasn’t permanent, it does raise the question of when and how children should be introduced to body modifications like tattoos.

However, many people were disturbed by the idea of putting any kind of tattoo on a baby, even temporarily.

Some parents were quick to point out that tattoos are often a deeply personal choice, and it might be best to wait until a child is older and able to make their own decision about whether they want to get one.

Some parents were quick to point out that tattoos are often a deeply personal choice, and it might be best to wait until a child is older and able to make their own decision about whether they want to get one.

What happens if that child, years down the line, doesn’t want to be associated with the moment?

The concern lies in the fact that a baby, unlike a teenager or adult, can’t consent to such decisions. It might seem harmless, but tattooing someone without their consent—even temporarily—could send a confusing message about bodily autonomy.

What happens if that child, years down the line, doesn’t want to be associated with the moment?

Of course, there were those who defended the dad’s actions, pointing out that the tattoo was harmless.

"Guys, it’s just an airbrush tattoo—it goes off in 2-3 days,” one user said. Others pointed out how much they loved the idea of letting kids experience temporary tattoos as part of a playful bonding moment.

Of course, there were those who defended the dad’s actions, pointing out that the tattoo was harmless.

Some even shared their own memories of getting airbrush tattoos as children, saying it was a fun experience that made them feel cool at the time.

Some even shared their own memories of getting airbrush tattoos as children, saying it was a fun experience that made them feel cool at the time.

This brings us to an important point: while temporary tattoos are certainly more acceptable than permanent ones, there’s a cultural conversation to be had about what kind of influence we’re placing on our children’s bodies before they can make those decisions for themselves.

This brings us to an important point: while temporary tattoos are certainly more acceptable than permanent ones, there’s a cultural conversation to be had about what kind of influence we’re placing on our children’s bodies before they can make those decisions for themselves.

A dad showing off a temporary tattoo on his child might be cute in the moment, but it also underscores a broader conversation about respecting the autonomy of others, even those too young to speak for themselves.

A dad showing off a temporary tattoo on his child might be cute in the moment, but it also underscores a broader conversation about respecting the autonomy of others, even those too young to speak for themselves.

Dad-Baby Relationships and Tattoos

The interaction between fathers and their children is key to developing healthy, supportive relationships. For many dads, tattoos are a meaningful part of their identity, and sharing that love with their children can form strong emotional bonds.

Dad-Baby Relationships and Tattoos

But there’s also the notion that children should be the ones to decide how they express themselves as they grow older.

But there’s also the notion that children should be the ones to decide how they express themselves as they grow older.

Introducing tattoos to a baby could be seen as a fun, lighthearted gesture, but it’s also a reminder that what we do to children’s bodies—whether it’s for social media or personal expression—carries weight. Tattoos, after all, are permanent on some level, even if only for a few days.

Ultimately, while some people might find the video sweet and harmless, others might argue it’s time to rethink the idea of allowing babies to participate in body-modification trends, even in temporary forms.

After all, they’ll have plenty of time to make their own decisions about ink when they’re older—and fully able to consent.

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Sophia