An incident aboard a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang to Shanghai has ignited a heated online debate in China regarding the management of children in public spaces. The incident, which went viral on Chinese social media, involved two women who locked a crying toddler inside an airplane toilet. One of the women, Gou Tingting, posted a video of herself carrying the distressed child into the restroom, attempting to present it as a helpful act. However, the video received severe backlash from the public.

The airline later revealed that the girl's grandmother had given permission to the two women to "educate" her. According to the statement released by the airline two days after the incident, the toddler, accompanied by her grandmother, began crying during the flight. In response, the grandmother agreed to let the two women take the child to the toilet. Although the airline did not specify the age of the toddler, local media reports suggest that she was around one year old.

In the video shared by Ms. Gou on Chinese social media platform Douyin, the other woman can be heard telling the crying toddler that she can leave the cubicle only if she stops crying. The footage sparked quick and widespread criticism, with many accusing Ms. Gou of lacking empathy and even "bullying" the child.

Responding to the backlash, Ms. Gou defended her actions, stating that she prefers to take action rather than being a mere bystander. She explained that some passengers had requested to move to the back of the plane to escape the noise, while others had resorted to stuffing tissue papers in their ears. Ms. Gou's social media account has since been set to private.

Public opinion regarding the incident has been divided, with some individuals defending the actions of the women due to the grandmother's consent. One user on Weibo even stated that some children require education, suggesting that their behavior can sometimes be unruly.

The incident has prompted a broader discussion on how to manage children in public spaces, particularly within the context of so-called "bear children" in China – spoiled young kids who display disruptive behavior in public. In response, some public transport systems in China have started implementing separate compartments for children. However, opinions on this matter remain mixed globally.

South Korea, for instance, has implemented hundreds of children-free zones in restaurants, museums, and theaters. Yet, lawmakers in South Korea have called for the termination of these zones, emphasizing the importance of creating a more child-friendly society, especially as the country grapples with a declining birth rate.

Internationally, some global airlines, such as Corendon Airlines and Scoot, provide passengers with the option to pay extra for child-free zones. This offering aims to cater to those seeking a more peaceful travel experience.

The incident involving the locked toddler in the airplane toilet has shed light on the ongoing discussions surrounding children in public spaces and the differing approaches taken worldwide to accommodate the needs and comfort of all passengers. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of finding a balance between addressing disruptive behavior and fostering an inclusive environment for young children.