A FATHER in the United States has gone viral after he made his daughter walk five miles (8km) to school in freezing weather as punishment for bullying.
Matt Cox from Ohio decided to teach his 10-year-old daughter Kirsten a life lesson after she was suspended from the school bus for three days over a second-time bullying offence.
He filmed a video titled 'Life lessons' showing Kirsten trudging to school in 2C (36F) temperatures while he followed behind in a car.
The clip of the punishment has been viewed over 18 million times and received tens of thousands of comments since it was uploaded to Facebook on Monday.
In the footage, Mr Cox can be heard explaining: "This lovely lady is my 10-year-old daughter who has for the second time this school year been kicked off the school bus, due to bullying another student.
"Let me make this extremely clear, bullying is unacceptable, especially in my household.
"Friday, when my daughter brought home her paperwork for her bus suspension, she said ‘Daddy, you’re going to have to take me to school next week’.
"As you see, this morning she is learning otherwise".
Mr Cox added that many children feel entitled to privileges like being taken to school in the morning by car or bus.
He continued: "All of that is a privilege, and should be treated as such, so today my beautiful daughter is going to walk five miles to school in freezing weather.
"A lot of you parents aren’t going to agree with this and that's alright. I am doing what I feel is right to teach my daughter a lesson and stop her from bullying.
"So children, if you’re watching this, please understand that bullying is unacceptable everywhere and will not be tolerated. Thanks everyone, have a great day."
Debate
The punishment received a mixed reception on social media where it has sparked widespread debate.
In a Facebook update shared on Wednesday, Mr Cox said he was shocked that so many people responded to his video and revealed his daughter had taken his words to heart.
The 10-year-old told local television station WTVG that she herself had been bullied in the wake of the clip going viral and now knows to be kind.
Some have criticised Mr Cox for being too "harsh" in chastising the schoolgirl, but many others have applauded his firm anti-bullying stance.
One user wrote: "5 mile walk is way too harsh … maybe find out why she is acting out with this other child".
Another said: "This is stupid. It was very cold and she can get very sick and end up in hospital!"
But others commented: "Kudos to you! Such a great example to parents all around".
A fourth added: "Touch love. Well done you. I hope your daughter learns from this."
See More: Bullying, Newsletterr, Ohio, School, United States, Video, Viral, Walking
