A father has become the center of controversy after publicly admitting that he kisses his young son on the lips, igniting mixed reactions across social media platforms.
Tom, a popular TikTok creator who goes by the username @tom_leeds and hails from Yorkshire, UK, has recently faced criticism for posting a video featuring his five-year-old son. With a following exceeding 400,000, Tom often shares moments with his child, highlighting their bond. In a particular video, he showcased both their striking blue eyes, ending the clip with a brief kiss on his son’s lips.
The video quickly sparked a heated debate in the comment section, with numerous users expressing their opinions on the matter. One comment, in particular, caught attention, reading: “Just gorgeous both, but don’t kiss him on the lips.” Rather than ignoring the criticism, Tom directly addressed the concern. His response was clear and defiant: “I will continue to kiss my son on the lips. Thank you.”
Following the initial backlash, Tom uploaded a follow-up video to further explain his perspective. He expressed being deeply troubled by the idea that anyone would view his display of affection as inappropriate. Tom defended his actions passionately, stating, “I will continue to kiss my five-year-old son for as long as I deem necessary and as long as he allows it.”
He continued, emphasizing the closeness of their relationship, describing his son as his “best pal” and expressing how much he loves him. His firm stance, however, continued to fuel discussion online.
In another instance, a TikTok commenter suggested that kissing a child on the lips could potentially expose them to harmful bacteria, leading to dental issues like cavities. Tom, along with his son, directly responded to this claim in a video. His son, clearly understanding the context, lightheartedly dismissed the worry, saying, “Don’t be silly!” before they shared another peck on camera, reaffirming their bond.
However, the criticism didn’t stop there. Another user left a comment suggesting that kissing a child on the lips could create confusion, as not all people have good intentions, stating, “Don’t kiss your children on the lips. Fact. Because not all humans have the right intentions. Do you see what I’m saying? It doesn’t make it acceptable.”
Visibly frustrated by the ongoing criticism, Tom addressed this concern in yet another video response. His reaction was filled with sarcasm, as he attempted to break down the flawed logic presented. “So the logic here is if I kiss my five-year-old son, he will then think it’s okay to go around kissing strangers? Really?”
He continued his rebuttal by drawing exaggerated comparisons, saying, “By that logic, I guess I can’t drive him in my car anymore, because he might think it’s fine to hop into a stranger’s car. Should I stop letting him live in my house too, since he could assume walking into anyone’s home would be normal?”
Tom concluded his passionate defense by offering a clear stance on parenting, suggesting that teaching children boundaries while also showing affection within the family unit was perfectly acceptable. “Or, hear me out, we could just teach him that kissing his mummy and daddy is normal while kissing ‘dodgy Barry down the street’ isn’t. Simple.”
While the controversy continued to stir debate, Tom also received overwhelming support from many viewers. One TikTok user voiced disbelief that Tom even had to justify his actions: “I’m honestly shocked that this dad has to explain himself for kissing his child. People need to stop overanalyzing love.”
Another supporter chimed in, saying, “I’m 43, and I still kiss my dad on the lips. Keep showing your son love and ignore the negativity.” A third added, “If people find an issue with a parent showing affection to their own child, something is clearly wrong with them.”
Tom’s unwavering stance has resonated with many who share his perspective on parental affection, while the debate highlights broader discussions around cultural differences in expressions of love within families.