An Indian woman’s Instagram video showing her young child on a leash during a family holiday in New York has gone viral, reigniting debate over the practice.

Shubhangi Jagota, an Indian mother of two living in Canada, posted a video of her 3.5-year-old son playfully running and jumping around Times Square, attached to his father by a child safety harness. She wrote: “He’s 3.5 and we’re not ashamed to say we put him on a leash... this was hands-down the best decision for our trip.”

She explained that in a place as crowded and unpredictable as New York, the leash allowed her son the freedom to explore without constant handholding while giving her and her husband “peace of mind.”

“We got to enjoy our trip without a heart attack every 5 minutes. He got his freedom, and we knew he wouldn’t get lost — or let’s be real — stolen,” she said.

In fact, their toddler enjoyed the experience so much he imagined he was in control: “He called himself the sheriff and us his captives. Honestly, everyone was winning.”

Jagota also noted she used two types of leashes — a short one for tight spaces and a longer one for open areas — to strike the right balance between safety and independence.

Although the video’s comments were later disabled, screenshots from early interactions show support pouring in from fellow parents. One wrote:

“We’re absolutely doing this on our next visit to NYC... Great idea for child safety.”

Another commented sarcastically: “I used one for my dad at Mahakumbh. Super helpful!”

Others praised her honesty and practicality:

“How easily we get distracted in this social media age. Mishaps happen in seconds. It’s not shameful — it’s smart parenting.”

Still, the video touched a nerve in the long-running global debate around child leashes. Some child psychologists argue that harnesses could feel like punishment or restraint, potentially harming a child’s confidence or emotional development.

Psychologist Jennifer Hartstein previously called them a “lazy form of parenting”, arguing they replace meaningful boundaries with physical control.

However, many parents, especially in high-traffic urban settings, disagree. To them, the priority is simple: safety first.