: Somali-American teens in Minnesota were handcuffed and received "subhuman" treatment after a false 911 report alleged they had weapons. Entertainment and Media
In the entertainment realm, "handcuffed" concepts often appear in reality formats or as metaphors for restrictive policies. How some teenagers get to Utah's youth treatment programs
Recent reports highlight significant legal shifts and public debate regarding the handcuffing of minors.
: Recent laws, such as those in Utah and Missouri, have begun placing stricter limits on the use of physical restraints and isolation rooms in these facilities following reports of trauma and abuse.
: Parents sometimes hire unregulated "secure transport" companies to forcibly take their children to treatment programs or wilderness camps. These transporters may pull teens from their beds, handcuff , and blindfold them during cross-state transit.
The term is frequently associated with the controversial practices of secure transport companies and residential treatment centers.
: In October 2025, a teen was detained and shaken after an AI gun-detection system mistakenly identified a bag of chips as a firearm.
: In August 2024, a Michigan judge faced severe backlash for ordering a teenager to be handcuffed during a courtroom field trip because she fell asleep.