No, this ankle monitor for children does not exist
Video posted on August 1 caused outrage among parents online as device is normally used on criminals
Paris, France (AFP) - A video claiming to show an ankle monitor (or electronic tag) for children posted on August 1 caused outrage among parents online as the device is normally used on criminals.
They also believed that it could actually track and shock misbehaving children. However, the video is the creation of a well-known TikTok prankster who makes realistic-looking sham products.
A video seen by millions of people on TikTok, Twitter and Facebook proposes a simple solution to getting more sleep as a parent of a young child: an ankle monitor, reminiscent of those worn by people on house arrest, that can track your child and even send them electric shocks.
The video seems to be an advertisement for the electronic ankle monitor, with is in professional-looking packaging in a store. Then the presenter fits it on a little boy's ankle and shows how a linked application can track the child's movements.
@legbootlegit
People concerned by the invention shared the video on Twitter and Facebook where it became viral. For example, the account Truthseeker reposted it on Twitter on August 5 where it was seen over 30,000 times. Many expressed their concern at what looks like a criminal tag for children.
The video was originally posted by the TikTok user legbootlegit on August 1, where it was liked by three million people.
However, the product does not really exist.
A real-life image manipulator
The creator of the video, legbootlegit, often posts videos of real-life pranks using fake products. In some videos, he even shows how he designs convincing fake packaging. The purpose of his content is purely for comedic value.
On Twitter, the creator explained that the video was made in collaboration with shampoooty, an artist that makes uncommon objects in the style of toys. Some of his creations include an ashtray in the shape of a toy tortoise or even miniature handcuffs.
Visual giveaways: Misspelt company name and the creator's signature
Some elements in the video reveal that the ankle monitor device is not a real product advertised to parents.
The logo on the packaging looks similar to the one of the well-known American toy company, Little Tikes. However, the name written on the packaging is “Little Yikes”.
Also, the name and the logo of the TikTok account Legboot appear in the corner right of the box.
These hints show that the ankle monitor is actually just a convincing joke made by a skilled TikTok prankster.
