Who is Garrett Gee and why is he under fire? Controversy explained as travel influencer sparks fury online for tossing his son off cliff

Garrett Gee isn’t your average dad next door. A one-time tech whizz who sold his startup to Snapchat, he and his wife Jessica swapped boardrooms for boarding passes in 2015, launching The Bucket List Family and turning global adventure into their full-time job. With millions of followers and a Hawaiian home base, the family chronicles everything from shark‑surfing to hot‑air balloon rides. But their latest stunt (featuring Garrett hurling his 7‑year‑old son, Cali, off a cliff into Lake Powell) has sparked outrage.

This parenting-by-adrenaline moment has gone viral, with people asking: Garrett Gee tossed his son off a cliff—what were they thinking? Some say it’s reckless and risky, others applaud the “trust‑building” lesson. Here’s the low-down on why this has everyone talking.

Who is Garrett Gee and what is the controversy?

Garrett Gee, part of the Instagram-famous Bucket List Family, is known for transforming risk into content: surfboards over spreadsheets, one exotic locale after another, and kids that’ve accompanied every step. In mid‑July 2025, he posted a video showing him and 7‑year‑old Cali at the edge of a modest cliff over Lake Powell. When Cali hesitated, Garrett grabbed him and tossed him into the water. The clip, which quickly garnered over 3.5 million views, was accompanied by a caption explaining that safety was the top priority, followed by teaching bravery and having fun.

“Eventually a baby eagle needs to leave the nest… or be tossed out of the nest,” he wrote, likening the gesture to a trust‑building moment.

Garrett emphasized that Cali had given consent, and that prior warning was given, he had the option to climb down, jump on his own, or be gently launched. From Garrett’s vantage, the stunt was a safe, bounded way to nudge Cali past his fear.

That said, not everyone is sold. Critics accused him of “exploiting their kids on social media” and venturing into dangerous parenting territory, warning that screams, even followed by smiles, could leave emotional scars. “Trauma therapy up ahead for these kids,” one Instagram user warned. Another called it “absolutely unacceptable” and questioned the potential subconscious damage.

The backlash highlights a deeper debate: how far is too far when influencers involve children in thrill‑filled content? Supporters argue that the moment bonded father and son, building trust and fostering courage. Detractors argue it’s needless risk for content’s sake.

In response, Garrett reiterated: this isn’t instructional parenting, nor a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. He said they’d carefully chosen a “safe” cliff and only used this method because Cali told them he wanted the push. He also reminded parents to prioritize safety and respect children’s individual fears.

At the end of the day, Garrett Gee’s cliff‑toss stunt sums up today’s influencer paradox: parenting as performance, with trust and controversy, dangling by a thread. While some see bravery-building and bonding, others see recklessness masquerading as content. Whether it’s a fun memory for Cali or a moment that demands reckoning, it’s algebraic proof of our age: love + cameras ≠ always safe. As online opinions continue to swirl, one thing’s clear—this is a parenting experiment many didn’t sign up for.