A parenting discussion in Australia has gone viral after a “sexuality educator” suggested that parents should ask babies for consent before changing their diapers, sparking widespread debate among parents, experts, and social media users.
The educator, Deanne Carson, argues that building a “culture of consent” should begin from birth. Her comments have drawn both interest and criticism online, with many questioning how consent can apply to infants who are not yet able to speak or understand the concept.
Carson explained that the idea is not about expecting a verbal response from a baby, but rather about promoting awareness, communication, and respect for a child’s bodily autonomy. She suggested that parents narrate actions—such as telling a baby they are about to change their diaper—and pause to observe body language as part of early communication.
Supporters of early childhood development practices note that responding to non-verbal cues is already a key part of infant care, and argue that such interactions may help build trust and communication between parent and child over time.
However, the suggestion has also faced strong criticism from commentators and online users, who argue that infants are too young to understand consent and that the approach is impractical in everyday parenting. Some critics have dismissed the idea as unrealistic, while others have expressed concern that it could complicate basic caregiving routines.
The debate has since spread widely on social media, where users have shared divided opinions ranging from support for early consent education to skepticism about its real-world application in infant care.
As the discussion continues, experts remain split between viewing the idea as a symbolic teaching tool for long-term awareness versus an unnecessary extension of adult concepts into early childcare.
