A viral video showing young girls crying during an intense ballet stretching session has sparked fierce debate online, with Nigerians divided over whether the training is necessary discipline or abusive.
Video sparks outrage and defense
The now-trending clip, shared on social media by Instablog9ja on July 5, 2026, shows an instructor stretching the legs and bodies of several young girls as they cry visibly. The emotional scenes quickly ignited discussions about the appropriateness of such methods for children.
Some Nigerians condemned the training as abusive and called for legal action. One social media user wrote: "If I were a parent and see this video online, I am arresting whoever was in charge and taking legal steps; It's one thing to train, but turning a kid's tears to content is unacceptable." Another commented: "What kind of wicked training is this. These kids pelvis are still developing, before they will have dislocation in the name of ballet. See the face of the woman sef."
Others questioned why children were being subjected to such physically demanding routines. One comment read: "Every country is working hard to push their younger generation to tech or another department for them to succeed see wetin this one dey do." Another simply asked: "What kind of nonsense is this? Is this even professional?" Some demanded action from authorities: "I strongly condemn this. I hope the appropriate agency apprehend those behind this."
Defenders cite elite sports demands
However, not everyone agreed that the training was abusive. Some defended the practice, saying elite sports often involve difficult and uncomfortable training sessions that may look shocking to outsiders. One user commented: "Na because dem show una. If one of becomes a star and shows you this throwback video of how she take do am, you go say 'wow wow wow, incredible.' If athletes show you BTS ehn." Another added: "Every elite sport looks extreme from the outside. The real question is whether it's being done safely."
Experts weigh in on risks and benefits
The debate has reignited conversations about the physical demands of ballet, especially for children. Medical experts warn that while ballet builds discipline, coordination, and confidence, improper or excessive training can increase the risk of injuries to growing children.
Experts generally agree that ballet offers several benefits for young dancers, including improved memory, concentration, coordination, and discipline, as well as encouraging confidence, self-control, and social interaction through group classes. However, ballet is one of the most physically demanding forms of dance. Repeated stretching, turnout movements, and high-impact routines can place significant stress on the hips, knees, and ankles. Sports medicine experts have long warned that improper training techniques, excessive force, or pushing beyond a child's physical limits may increase the risk of injuries, particularly while the body is still developing.
Core concern: safety and supervision
For many watching the viral video, the biggest concern is not whether ballet is beneficial, but whether the children were being trained in a safe, age-appropriate, and professionally supervised manner. As the clip continues to circulate online, Nigerians remain split between those who see the session as normal elite training and those who believe it crossed the line.
