Shawn Johnson sparked a wave of online debate after sharing a social media clip showing her kissing her young son on the lips.
The former Olympic gymnast posted the Instagram video on July 4, showing a holiday moment with her 2-year-old son, Bear, whose full name is Barrett.
In the footage, Johnson and her son are enjoying the sunshine on a boat when she gives him several kisses on the lips.
She captioned the post: “What a smooch!! Hahahaha this guy came outta nowhere!!”
The video quickly drew attention in the comments, where opinions were divided over whether the interaction was appropriate. The reaction reflected a broader parenting debate that often comes up online, with some people seeing lip kisses between parents and young children as a normal expression of affection, while others prefer to reserve lip kisses for romantic partners or avoid them altogether.
Some people said they were uncomfortable with parents kissing children on the lips.
“My husband and I have never kissed our daughter on the lips, we’ll kiss her cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, whatever we will not kiss her lips,” one commenter said. “Teaching boundaries early is very important.”
Another was more diplomatic: “I do kiss my son on the lips but when he wants to do a ‘long kiss’ like Daddy I say ‘no that’s only for grown ups when they get married’ as I feel for me personally it becomes a bit inappropriate, but each to their own.”
A different poster argued that this was something ‘for mum and dad’ only: “Pecks are one thing… Only Dad should be kissing mom like that”
Others, however, defended Johnson and said the moment reflected a normal stage of affection between parent and child.
One user said: “It’s that age! They are so in love with their mommas. By 5 mine was back to the cheek. Enjoy every minute with your babies it goes quick!”
Another argued this was absolutely normal for a child their age, saying: “Love the intense love for his momma! My youngest was like this, so deeply loving to me! He is still a big momma lover at now 7 years old, he will give me kisses everyday, and really pause in the love of it.”
A different Instagram user, herself a mother added to the chorus of approval, saying: “Not as many lip kisses now that he’s older but he will give me cheek kisses in his appreciation of things I’ve done for him or just to say I love you mom!”
Another poster said that they grew up doing this thing all the time, but for some it could be seen as a difference in culture: “I’m sorry but is this not normal?? I’m Hispanic and I grew up kissing my parents on the lips, now I kiss my children on the lips too. I see a bunch of older white women disgusted by it in the comments which is sad because its such a beautiful thing.”
Johnson, who is married to former NFL player Andrew East, is a mother of three. Alongside Bear, the couple also share daughter Drew Hazel, 6, and son Jett James, 4.
The former gymnast and East, who married in 2016, have frequently shared family moments with their children on social media.
Shawn Johnson has been approached for comment.