Family films toddler driving in school zone, calls it 'cute'

A video showing a family letting a preschool-age child drive inside a school zone has gone viral, drawing widespread criticism online.

The clip, titled "Taking a lesson with grandpa," has been circulating on social media.

In the footage, a child estimated to be 5 or 6 years old, wearing a T-shirt featuring the animated character Hello Carbot, sits in the driver's seat gripping the steering wheel. The grandfather appears to have placed the child in front of him while seated in the driver's seat, letting the child steer.

The child smoothly turns the wheel to make a left turn and straightens it out once the turn is complete — a level of skill that looks far from a first attempt. The grandfather occasionally reaches over to adjust the wheel, but the child handles most of the driving.

The location appears to be a rural road, though the pavement is clearly marked with "school zone" lettering.

Someone seated in the back — also believed to be a family member — filmed the scene.

Online commenters have been quick to condemn the family. "Even adults have to pass a written test before they get a learner's permit," one user said. "The whole point is to learn traffic laws and ethics before you get behind the wheel. Teach the kid how to cross a street before you teach them to drive." Another wrote, "I'm worried this kid is going to steal the parents' car keys and drive without a license before they even grow up." Others called for the family to be identified and punished, with some saying the incident should be treated as child abuse.