What started as a seemingly innocent parenting experiment quickly spiraled into a nightmare.
A brief video, intended as content for social media, captured a moment that left viewers horrified—and authorities concerned.
A Russian parenting influencer is facing widespread criticism and possible legal action after posting a video in which she vacuum-sealed her young son inside a plastic bag as part of a “parenting experiment.”
The 47-second clip, uploaded on December 7 by 36-year-old Saratov blogger Saparina, shows her placing her son—estimated to be between four and six years old—into a large, transparent storage bag.
She then used a handheld vacuum pump to remove the air. Though the video was later deleted from VK and YouTube, it continues to circulate widely on social media.
In the footage, the plastic quickly tightens around the child. Within seconds, he appears distressed, flailing and shouting for his mother. Saparina stops the pump and opens the bag, laughing while calling the stunt a “playful test” to see “how long kids can handle a doggie high.” She later captioned the post jokingly, “Cutting off the oxygen supply for a few seconds—what could go wrong? Just kidding, it’s all safe and fun!”
The video triggered immediate outrage. Social media users condemned the act as “child abuse disguised as content.” One commenter wrote that Saparina was a “disgusting child abuser who belongs in jail.” Many criticized the broader trend of dangerous stunts performed for social media attention.
Experts warn that such an experiment is far from harmless. Pediatric research, including findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics, highlights that vacuum-sealed environments can rapidly deplete oxygen and increase carbon dioxide, creating a high risk of hypoxia—especially for children with smaller lung capacity and faster metabolism.
Key risks include:
Loss of breathable oxygen in under 15 seconds
Panic, dizziness, and rapid heart rate within 10–20 seconds
Potential fatal suffocation in under 30 seconds
Long-term psychological trauma, including claustrophobia and anxiety
The U.S. CDC notes that plastic bag suffocation remains a leading cause of toddler deaths, and Russian health authorities advise against any enclosed-air play for children under eight. Saparina’s bag—non-food-grade and not designed for human use—added extra risks of tearing or chemical exposure.
By the evening of December 7, Saratov’s child protection services confirmed multiple complaints and said they were reviewing the case. Local reports indicate that the investigation may involve home visits and psychological evaluations of the child.
Possible legal consequences include mandatory parenting courses, removal of the child, or criminal charges under Article 156 for failure to fulfill parental duties—a charge that carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years.
As of now, Saparina has not publicly apologized. She has removed the video but continues to post unrelated content.
Critics argue that in Russia, where declining birth rates and the promotion of family values intersect with a booming parenting influencer economy, social media incentives can push creators toward extreme and unsafe stunts without adequate oversight.
Conclusion
What may have been intended as a viral moment became an alarming example of the risks posed by social media-driven stunts. Experts and authorities stress the dangers of such experiments, reminding parents and influencers alike that some boundaries should never be crossed—especially when a child’s life is at stake.