Passengers lock crying toddler in airplane lavatory during three-hour flight

Online outrage led several viewers of the video to file police reports against the women. However, Guizhou Airport Public Security Bureau did not press charges due to the grandmother's consent.

The grandmother defended her actions in a now-deleted Douyin post, stating she wanted to ensure a restful flight for other passengers. She claimed that many passengers were using tissues to block their ears from the noise and some had moved to escape it. She said she wanted to take action rather than be a bystander: "I just wanted to calm the child down and let everyone rest."

The incident has reignited discussions in China about so-called “bear children,” a term used for young children who cause disturbances in public spaces.

An expert commented on this issue: "I’d point out that the lavatory doesn’t block sufficient sound to keep noise out of the cabin. At age one, this punishment probably isn’t effective. Brief time outs do work, especially approaching age two. And what should be questioned is what they were doing leading up to this flight—consistent expectations-setting but also preparation with activities that engage but also mellow (because travel can be overwhelming for a toddler with all its strange people and unfamiliar places)."