A Cuban has sparked debate on TikTok after sharing a video in which she questions the trend of some parents seeking medical diagnoses for their children over behaviors that, according to her, are typical childhood antics, such as running, jumping, playing, or being restless.
Content creator Arlette Marino (@arlettetiktokshop) shared a video on TikTok in which she directed a straightforward message to parents: "Stop trying to diagnose your children."
With an ironic tone, the Cuban criticized the tendency to immediately interpret certain child behaviors as signs of some disorder. "If you see a child playing, jumping, running around, they have hyperactivity, take them to a psychologist to prescribe medication," she stated, questioning what she considers a trend towards medicalizing typical behaviors of children.
Marino also referred to the practice of giving children mobile phones or tablets to keep them entertained, especially when families go to restaurants or other public places. In his view, many adults expect their children to remain quiet and constantly adapt to the needs of the adults.
It was then that he shared one of the most striking reflections from his video: “Why should I have to adapt my child to my world? No, I chose to bring him into the world. I adapt my world to him.”
The Cuban emphasized that children need to play, move, explore, and enjoy their childhood, without every restless behavior automatically becoming a cause for concern.
"We don't want children, we want robots," was another idea she conveyed during her speech, referring to the expectations that, according to her, some adults have regarding children's behavior.
But his criticisms did not stop only at upbringing. Marino also questioned the economic interests that he believes exist behind certain medical consultations and treatments.
"It benefits the government" and "it benefits the doctors," he stated, considering that frequent visits to specialists generate economic income. "Because it's money they're making," he added, before assuring that "medicine in this country is a business," apparently referring to the United States.
These statements are part of her opinion on the healthcare system and do not prove that childhood diagnoses serve economic interests. The creator even anticipated that her words could provoke controversy: "Maybe this video will be censored."
The topic discussed by Marino has also been a subject of debate among specialists. Psychologist Rafael Guerrero has warned about the importance of not confusing childhood restlessness with a diagnosis of ADHD, as not all active children exhibit this disorder.
However, specialists also remind us that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a real condition that requires professional evaluation. To diagnose it, the symptoms must be persistent, manifest in different environments, such as home and school, and significantly affect the child's daily life. Therefore, seeking professional help when there are signs of difficulty does not necessarily mean that a child will receive medication.
Social media has become a common space to discuss these types of issues. In an article published by Infobae about the increase in ADHD diagnoses, the influence of greater social awareness regarding this disorder and the need for proper evaluations are also addressed.
It’s not the first time that a Cuban's opinions on children's education have sparked controversy online. Last July, another Cuban creator criticized the new parenting styles and claimed that some parents were raising their children without boundaries, even stating that “what they are raising are parasites.”
Arlette Marino's video had over 1,190 views, 102 likes, and 31 comments, according to the figures initially gathered in the news. Her message has raised two concerns that are not always easy to reconcile: allowing children to act like children and recognizing when they need specialized attention.
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