Earlier this week we posted a reel about a pair of Spiderman thongs my son spotted at Big W.

Very normal parenting moment, really. Child sees character shoes. Child immediately needs character shoes. Parent briefly questions every value they’ve ever held in the middle of the aisle.

So, we tried them on.

And almost straight away you could see his toes working hard to keep them on. Not walking freely. Not relaxed. Gripping.

The reel ended up getting a lot of views, and a lot of opinions. Some parents completely agreed. Others felt like we were being a bit dramatic because, let’s be honest, thongs are basically part of Australian childhood.

Beach days. Backyard afternoons. Quick trips to the shops. The classic “just chuck your thongs on” moment.

We get it.

This is not about saying your child can never wear thongs. It’s about the difference between something that’s fine for short, occasional wear and something that becomes an everyday shoe for growing feet.

Because when kids are walking, running and playing for longer stretches, their shoes should stay on without their toes doing all the work. That’s where the shape and structure of shoes for growing feet matters.

The issue is not one quick wear

One quick trip in thongs is not going to ruin a child’s feet.

The beach shower? Fine. Poolside? Fine. Running outside to grab something from the car? We are all just doing our best.

The issue is when thongs become the everyday option for walks, daycare, playgrounds, shopping centres or full days out.

That’s when the mechanics matter.

What happens when kids walk in thongs?

Thongs do not stay on the foot by themselves.

There is no heel strap. No upper. No secure hold around the foot. So the foot has to help keep them on.

A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research looked at children walking and jogging in thong-style flip-flops. The children in the study were aged 8 to 13, so we should be careful not to stretch the findings too far for toddlers. But the results are still useful.

The study found changes in ankle, midfoot and big-toe movement when children wore thongs compared with walking barefoot. The researchers said these changes suggested a possible mechanism for keeping the thong on, including what may be a gripping action during walking and jogging.

In normal parent language: the foot can start working differently just to stop the thong from flying off.

And once you see it, you really see it. The toes grip. The foot stiffens. The child changes the way they walk so the shoe stays with them.

“But aren’t thongs basically barefoot?”

Not really.

This is where a lot of the confusion comes in.

Barefoot movement means the foot can move freely. The toes can spread, the foot can bend, and the body can respond naturally to the ground.

Thongs may feel minimal because they are thin and open, but they can still change how the foot works because your child has to keep them on.

So yes, thongs are minimal in material.

But they are not the same as barefoot.

And they are definitely not the same as a secure, flexible barefoot-style shoe.

To be fair, the research is not saying thongs are evil

This part matters.

The same children’s thong study also found that overall foot motion in thongs may be more similar to barefoot movement than many people originally thought.

So no, the research does not say thongs are the worst thing ever invented.

But it also does not say they are ideal everyday shoes for kids.

The key point is more practical than dramatic: thongs can change the way the foot grips, moves and works. For short, occasional wear, that may not be a big deal. For running, playing and walking around for long stretches, we would rather choose something that stays on securely without asking the toes to do the holding.

Foot strength is not the same as foot overworking

A lot of people say, “But isn’t gripping good? Doesn’t that make the foot stronger?”

Not always.

There is a big difference between a foot moving freely and a foot constantly clawing to hold onto a loose shoe.

Think of it like carrying groceries.

Using your muscles is normal. Carrying groceries from the car to the kitchen? Fine. Carrying them around all day because the bag has no handles? Not ideal.

That is the issue with thongs. The foot is not just moving. It is compensating.

The toes are doing extra work because the shoe design gives them no choice.

When are thongs okay?

Thongs have a place.

They are fine for:

• poolside

• beach showers

• quick backyard moments

• short, low-activity wear

• places where you need quick foot protection

Even the American Podiatric Medical Association’s flip-flop advice does not say never wear them. It says not to wear flip-flops for long distances, and it also advises against wearing them for sports or yard work.

That feels like the sensible middle ground.

Thongs are occasional shoes.

They are not everyday kids’ shoes.

What should kids wear instead?

For everyday play, walking and running around, kids need shoes that stay on without making their toes do the holding.

Look for:

• A secure fit so the shoe moves with the foot

• A wide toe box so toes can spread naturally

• A flexible sole so the foot can bend

• A flat sole so heel and toe stay level

• Enough room to grow without being sloppy

If you are not sure whether a shoe is fitting properly, our kids shoe size guide is a good place to start before guessing. Because guessing children’s shoe sizes is basically a parenting trap disguised as admin.

The bottom line

The reel upset some people because thongs feel normal.

And that’s the point.

A lot of things become normal simply because we grew up with them. That does not always mean they are the best option for growing feet.

Thongs are easy. They are handy. They are very Australian. They are also loose, unstable and often make little toes work overtime just to keep them on.

So no, we’re not saying your child can never wear thongs.

We are saying they should not be the shoe your child wears all day, every day, for walking, running and playing.

For everyday movement, choose something that stays on securely, gives toes room, bends with the foot, and lets kids move without having to claw their way through the day.

You can shop kids barefoot shoes made for real play, real movement and real little feet.