Adorable baby's face mask in flight sparks heated debate as some call it 'child abuse'

Photo of a baby wearing an adult-sized full face mask - with eye holes cut out - on an Air New Zealand flight has divided the internet whether it's "cute" or "sad"

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A photo of a baby wearing an adult-sized face mask on a flight has sparked fierce debate online for a variety of reasons.

The adorable toddler was pictured on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Wellington on July 1 wearing an adult-sized mask over his entire face, with holes cut out for both eyes.

Although the photo has taken the internet by storm, the man who took the photo says the backlash is misplaced - and frankly, undeserved.

Jandre Opperman, shared the photo and said it was a "super sweet interaction".

Photo of baby wearing full-face mask in flight sparked heated debate online

"The baby was full of joy, jumping and giggling. It made waiting to get off the plane a little more fun," he added.

Although Jandre hoped the little one's cuteness would be the reason he would spread like wildfire on social media, he began to attract negative comments instead.

Some who saw the snap were immediately shocked, saying the masking of the baby was dangerous and indicative of an overreaction to mask-wearing.

Comments flooded the traveller's social media account with those saying the image was "so incredibly sad" and showed "child abuse".

One wrote, "If I saw this on a flight, I'd take the mask off myself."

Another noted, "Babies need air to grow."

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Picture:

NurPhoto via Getty Images)

While a third wrote that it is: "dangerous to cover their breathing holes like that".

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