Influencer Garrett Gee responds to backlash over viral video of him throwing 7-year-old son off cliff

Garrett Gee, travel influencer and founder of The Bucket List Family, has broken his silence after sparking controversy with a viral video showing him tossing his 7-year-old son off a cliff into Lake Powell.

The video, which circulated widely in July 2025, showed Gee standing with his son, Calihan, on a cliffside, offering words of encouragement before lifting him and throwing him into the water below.

Speaking to People magazine, Gee said, “If somebody came across that video and had only seen that video, then I agree with them. ‘Oh man, this looks terrible, and this father’s pushing their child too much.’ But anyone who has followed our journey for a longer time, they understand how thoughtful and cautious we are as parents.”

Take a look at the video below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Garrett Gee (@garrettgee)

Gee has built a global following by documenting family adventures over the past decade, emphasised that safety and emotional growth remain their top priorities.

“Each kid is different, so the way we parent, discipline, and teach HOW TO CLIFF JUMP is quite different,” he wrote in his original post. “For sure, 1^st priority is safety. 2^nd is learning that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. 3^rd is HAVE FUN ;).”

Despite the backlash, Gee said he was not shaken by the criticism.

“I am very confident in who me and my wife are as parents and our intentions and how careful, cautious and loving we are. It did not affect me. I understand the nature of the internet,” Gee said.

The video drew strong reactions online about parenting boundaries.

Gee shared that the backlash made him reflect: “A small part of me felt sad when I would read the comments because you could tell how many people out there did not have the opportunity to be pushed by their parents to try new things and stayed within their comfort zone. That is not the best way to live life.”

“When we are travelling together, we get to be together as a family 24/7, doing different experiences and exploring new places together,” he added.