TikTok mom sparks backlash over son’s Nerf gun stunt with thumbtacks
Photo: Tiktok
A TikTok mom’s video showing her son modifying Nerf gun bullets with thumbtacks has gone viral, sparking heated debates about parenting and the “boys will be boys” mindset.
The video, originally posted by user @liqwedddreamz and now deleted, featured the mother casually revealing how her son had inserted thumbtacks into Nerf darts to make them stick to walls. Instead of expressing concern, she captioned the video with “#boymom,” implying such behavior is typical for boys.
@macsfamily #stitch with @Luis Lopez Comedy nerf bullets with pins aint right. #nerfbullets #nerfbulletswithpins
♬ original sound - Mac’s Family
@dr.ally Boys will be boys is not a great defense and heres why. #boymom #mentalhealth
♬ original sound - Dr.Ally
The video quickly attracted criticism on TikTok, with many users highlighting the potential danger of the modified Nerf bullets.Luis Lopez Comedy and other creators on TikTok called on the original poster to use the incident as a teaching moment instead of brushing it off. One user even demonstrated the potential danger of modified Nerf darts, showing them piercing through walls and blinds.
@luislopezcomedy #boymom #parentingtips #boyswillbeboys #awkward
♬ original sound - Luis Lopez Comedy
@raeonartez We going see a shrink 😂 #fyp #foryoupage #fypシ #boymom
♬ original sound - Raeon
@sockeyesah I don’t know how old that kid is, or if this is definitely where he got the idea from but.. pay attention regardless. #boymom #nerfmom #homealone #thumbtacknerfdart #parenting #nerf #fyp
♬ original sound - SarahF
@ruckup.official raising boys #boymom #boys #kids #dads #moms
♬ original sound - RuckUp
@bossladiedes Nerf wars just got REAL #creatorsearchinsights #nerf #nerfwar #boymom #boymomlife #parenting #parentingstruggles #therapytok #therapytiktok #momlife #fypシ゚viral #fyp #fypシ
♬ original sound - Boss Ladie
Adding to the discussion, TikTok user Sarah F linked the stunt to a scene from Home Sweet Home Alone—a movie available on Disney+. She highlighted how children might imitate risky actions seen in films. “Pay attention to what your kids are watching because some kids are little weirdos who will try to copy it, mine included,” Sarah F explained, underlining the role of media monitoring in parenting.
@sockeyesah I don’t know how old that kid is, or if this is definitely where he got the idea from but.. pay attention regardless. #boymom #nerfmom #homealone #thumbtacknerfdart #parenting #nerf #fyp
♬ original sound - SarahF
The mother defended her son in a follow-up video, attributing his actions to an “engineering mindset.” Critics, however, stressed the importance of hands-on parenting to teach empathy and accountability.
The incident has reignited conversations about “boy moms” — a term increasingly used to describe mothers who excuse problematic behavior from their sons. While assumptions about the boy’s intent may be premature, the broader discussion has highlighted the need for proactive parenting. Parents are encouraged to use such incidents as opportunities to teach their children responsibility and empathy, fostering positive character development.