A recent video that highlights our obsession with technology went viral, showcasing a distressed young girl stuck on a rock climbing wall while her instructor was busy texting, and her mother filmed the entire episode. Neither adult intervened for at least a minute, leaving the child sobbing and anxiously glancing at both of them, likely wondering, “Could one of you please put down your phone?” Just before the clip ends, the little girl rests her head against the wall, visibly disheartened.
This incident occurred at Funtopia Surrey in British Columbia and the footage was first shared on Facebook before being removed, likely due to the backlash directed at the mother, Laura Collins, for not rushing to her child’s aid. One viewer commented, “How can a parent just sit there and record while their kid is in distress?” Such sentiments flooded the comments section of the viral video and subsequent news articles.
Have we, as parents, become so engrossed in capturing moments that we neglect our instincts to protect our children? Perhaps. Collins took to social media to explain her perspective, stating, “It broke my heart not to help my daughter immediately, but I felt the need to document this as proof.” She seemed concerned that without evidence, the gym might not take her complaints seriously.
Another insightful commenter on the CBC News article pointed out that Collins may not have been sure how to safely assist her daughter off the wall. While rock climbing isn’t overly complicated, most gyms require participants to complete safety training before climbing without supervision. This brings us back to the instructor, who was seen in the video ignoring a clearly distressed child while fixated on her phone.
The unnamed instructor was terminated shortly after the incident came to light. Yasen Nikolov, the general manager of Funtopia Surrey, stated, “Clearly, that behavior is unacceptable and should never have happened.” The employee, who had been with the rock climbing gym for less than six months, had violated multiple internal policies, including a rule against phone usage outside of employee areas.
While it was certainly not wise to leave her child literally hanging, at least the mother’s video may prevent this now-former instructor from putting another child in a similar situation. To watch the full video, click below.
In a world where we often prioritize documenting every moment, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being present for our children. If you’re curious about home insemination, consider checking out this informative resource on pregnancy or learn more about options for family planning at CryoBaby’s at-home insemination kit. For additional insights, you can also explore information on intracervical insemination in another one of our blog posts.
In summary, the incident at Funtopia Surrey highlights the potential consequences of our digital distractions, reminding us to prioritize being present for our children, especially in moments of distress.