A Russian couple 'up to their ears in debt' posted a controversial video appearing to show their one-year-old being 'tattooed' on TikTok, as experts issue serious warnings around the dangers of inking a child.
The footage in question showed the baby crying as his arm was held down while a woman appeared to be inking him.
Parents of the child said they were participating in a competition organised by Belarusian streamer Andrey Burim, known on social media as Mellstroy.
He had promised to buy flats for followers who created the most shocking videos promoting his name.
Advert
Claiming they were struggling with debt and unable to buy a home, the couple said they hoped to win the contest. "We've decided to take part in this competition," the mum said in the viral TikTok.
"We didn't know how to surprise you, Mellstroy, so we've decided to get a tattoo for our one-year-old child.
"We've been living in rented accommodation for three years now and can't afford to buy a flat."
She added: "We're up to our ears in debt. We'd love to win this competition."
However, as you can imagine, the public reaction in Russia was furious, with internet watchdog Ekaterina Mizulina calling for a criminal investigation.
"The tattoo may not be real, but the baby is crying throughout the entire video," she said.
Meanwhile, the mother later clarified to Russian outlet Izvestia that they only 'pretended' to tattoo the child, and that it was done with 'a black gel pen'.
She claimed: "I didn’t think people would believe it, because it was a one-year-old, not 18 or 20."
Mellstroy said that the video was 'absolutely morally wrong' and that he would never include it in his competition, as reported by The Sun.
The health risks of tattooing a baby
As well as the ethics of it all, Tattoo Questions has shared the serious health and psychological risks of tattooing a child.
A newborn’s skin is thin and underdeveloped, and so it lacks the protective barrier of adult skin.
It makes infants more vulnerable to infections from needle penetration, while the risk of allergic reactions or inflammation from tattoo ink is also much higher in babies.
Their immune systems are not yet mature enough to handle such exposure, the site adds.
Beyond the physical dangers, tattooing a baby can also lead to a lasting psychological impact.
As the child grows up, they may feel distressed or resentful about a permanent mark chosen without their consent, potentially affecting their mental health.
"Another significant risk for newborns is associated with the use of anesthesia during the tattooing process," they wrote.
"Since newborns’ bodies are still developing, they may not be able to handle the effects of anesthesia properly.
"Moreover, subjecting a newborn to unnecessary pain raises ethical concerns.
"It is imperative to have careful and qualified tattoo artists, as well as strict regulations and guidelines, to ensure the safety of newborn tattoo procedures."
According to Tatu Foto, there isn't a specific minimum age for getting a tattoo in Russia.
"But many tattoo parlors have an informal rule not to work with clients under 18 without parental consent," they noted.
In the UK, 'the law strictly prohibits tattooing anyone under the age of 18, even with parental consent'.
Topics: Russia, Parenting, Health, TikTok, Social Media
Anish Vij