Children on leashes in public: Necessary or too extreme?

Listen to Wednesday's debate, or read the details under the podcast.

When I was young, my mom said I was like an escape artist, and I remember her telling me a story about me wondering off inside a department store. I was oblivious to the panic that had set in, but I had literally disappeared in the blink of an eye, and that’s the reality many parents face.

With kidnappings on the rise around the world and especially in South Africa, parents are utilising new methods to keep their kids safe. One of these methods is a child leash. Although I can’t remember any kids being on a leash when I was younger, in hindsight, it could have very likely prevented something terrible from happening. 

Read - When WhatsApp messages go viral: Kidnapping voice note fuels panic

On Tuesday, my Producer told me how upset she was when she found a child on a leash at a local mall. She sent me a voice note with an accompanying picture as proof of her sighting.

Listen to her voice note in the podcast, or read the details below:

Take a look at the picture she sent me:

There seems to be two camps of opinion on this issue; those who think it’s ridiculous and cruel, and those who think it is an absolute necessity. 

I’m all for it being an absolute necessity. I mean, imagine a mom or dad with more than one kid? With this device, your children are at arm's length and safe.

Read - SA Kidnappings: How to keep your children safe

I’m not saying reach out for the leash every time you make an outdoor trip, I’m saying consider what’s involved with the outing and then decide. If you're at a crowded mall on a Saturday morning, then yes, use it. However, for a walk in the park, perhaps not.

In this day and age, is having a child leash necessary or too extreme? Share your comments below.