Khaberni - A video that spread in China caused a broad controversy after showing a small child running naked on all fours on a highway in Sichuan province, while his parents justified the scene as part of a parenting style known as "natural education".
The clip spread in recent days, showing the child moving on all fours like dogs, picking food off the ground with his mouth and sniffing it before eating it, while his parents were nearby with another infant and a dog inside a recreational vehicle.
Witnesses reported that the child seemed accustomed to the animal-like behavior in his movements and responses, which raised serious concerns about his safety.
Following the spread of the video, local authorities took action, as social affairs staff and police visited the family several times in Nanjian County, Yunnan Province, but the parents refused to receive them and asserted that they were implementing a different educational style that does not require official intervention.
The government clarified that the family is not experiencing any financial difficulties, owning a rural home and sometimes living in a mobile home and a temporary shed.
Local reports mentioned that the father is in his thirties and holds a university degree, while the mother is in her forties, holds a master's degree, and is registered in Beijing.
Some residents confirmed that the child has been seen since 2023 in a similar condition, often appearing naked and dirty even in winter.
On the other hand, rumors have spread online alleging that the parents were profiting from posting clips of the child on dark websites, but authorities denied these claims and announced their intention to review the family's bank accounts to ensure there are no suspicious income sources.
Chinese media reported that the parents agreed to dress the child and teach him to walk on his feet normally, and they expressed their willingness to officially register him in Beijing. Nonetheless, internet users continued to demand monitoring of the parents' behavior, affirming that the situation requires ongoing surveillance by the relevant authorities to protect the child.
It is worth mentioning that since 1987, Chinese law has allowed the removal of custody from parents if they cause physical or psychological harm to their children, and its application has been more clearly defined since 2015 with the issuance of official detailed instructions for its implementation.
