Montana Brown, the beloved Love Island star, has sparked a fiery online debate after revealing a controversial parenting choice during a family holiday. The 30-year-old influencer, mother to three-year-old Jude and eight-month-old Miley with fiancé Mark O’Connor, shared a glimpse into their strict no-screen policy for their children — a decision that turned a six-hour flight into a chaotic test of endurance and drew sharp criticism from fans and followers.
The family recently jetted off to a sunny destination for a much-needed break. But while most parents might rely on in-flight entertainment to keep young kids occupied on such a long journey, Montana and Mark stood firm: no screens allowed. The result? The couple transformed into “human climbing frames” for the entirety of the flight, juggling their energetic toddler and infant without a moment’s respite.
In a candid TikTok video, Montana reflected on the exhausting experience. “When I say it’s times like six-hour flights, being a human climbing frame, that really makes you think, why don’t I let my kids watch screens?” she said with a laugh. “It would have been so much nicer. Mark and I could have eaten our meals together, read a book, or watched a film ourselves. The possibilities would have been endless!”
Despite the temptation, Montana explained that they’d “come too far” to break their no-screen rule now. “We flew during the day, so I just thought, suck it up, we’ve got this,” she added. She praised her children for rising to the occasion, noting that Jude “did so well” and even “took a nap on his dad’s face,” while little Miley was a trooper throughout the ordeal.
Montana wrapped up her video with a call to her followers: “Tell me everything! I want to hear from the mums who use screens regularly. Do you see more tantrums, and what’s their behavior like when you say no to screens?”
What Montana didn’t anticipate was the wave of criticism that flooded the comments section. Many netizens slammed her parenting choice, calling it unnecessarily strict and questioning why she’d subject herself — and her kids — to such a challenging experience.
“On a flight, all rules go out the window. There’s no medal for being that mum,” one commenter quipped. Another added, “Don’t be a hero! Use screens when you need them! It makes plane journeys so much more bearable.” A third was blunt: “Just let them. Why make your life so difficult? What are you trying to prove?”
Some argued that screens, when used in moderation, are a valuable tool for parents. “Screens have their place and can be hugely beneficial!” one user wrote. “It’s like anything in life — balance is key. Too many people have way too much to say about things that don’t affect them, especially about parenting.”
One commenter shared a personal anecdote: “I used screens when my kids were young. Now they’re 28 and 24 — one’s a teacher, the other’s a financial advisor. They turned out fine. Don’t be ruled by media. You’re a great mum, you know your kids.”
Despite the backlash, Montana found plenty of support from parents who applauded her commitment to a screen-free childhood. “I’d avoid screens for as long as you can,” one wrote. “My two kids are obsessed with the iPad, and their tantrums are horrendous. We’ve banned them for a bit because their behavior got so bad.”
Another chimed in: “It depends on what they watch. Peter Rabbit caused massive tantrums for us, so we stopped that and avoid playing the same show on repeat.” A third offered encouragement: “You’ll get that time to read a book one day when they’re older. You’ll be proud of giving them a wholesome childhood.”
Montana’s no-screen rule has ignited a broader conversation about parenting in the digital age. For some, her approach is a commendable effort to prioritize real-world engagement over digital distractions. For others, it’s an unrealistic stance that overlooks the practical benefits of occasional screen time, especially in situations like long flights.
As the debate rages on, Montana remains steadfast in her choices, sparking admiration and frustration in equal measure. What’s clear is that her TikTok post has struck a chord, prompting parents everywhere to reflect on their own screen-time rules — or lack thereof.