Over the years, the concept of child abuse has developed to include a wider range of acts.

Because the issue is so personal and unique to each family, there is always controversy as to where the right line is. Nonetheless, a New Zealand mother’s claim that tickling is abuse ignited the web.

The story was first picked up by the NZ Herald, which reported that a mother’s post ignited this debate online. According to the report, the mother shared her friend’s comments that tickling a child without their consent should be considered as a form of child abuse.

The mother who posted the debate said she did not agree with her friend, citing how children’s emotions change in an instant. Moreover, she pointed to the more practical reason that tickling a toddler is one of the most effective ways to get them under control at times.

After the debate became public, different people have shared different opinions on the issue. A larger number of people said that to consider tickling a form of abuse is a stretch, adding that the friend seems to be overprotective of her children. Some defended her, saying they have childhood traumas from tickling.

One mother who sided with the friend argued that she has been using tickling as a way to teach her children about the concept of consent. According to her, she always asks if her children wants to be tickled, and stops the moment they tell her to stop.

In 2017, author Jennifer Lehr had put forth a similar argument in an article for the Huffington Post. Citing a biologist who explained that the laughters from a tickle is not necessarily because of happiness, Lehr said today’s culture is overly lenient on the rights of the children.

Lehr expanded her argument to the much more realistic and disturbing area of sexual predators. According to her, tickling has often been adopted by sexual predators as early steps in grooming their victims to bend to their wills.

The public’s opinion seems to be divided on this issue. While many would agree that to consider all tickles an abuse would be nonsensical, many would also agree that teaching kids about the concept of consent is important.

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