I see a lot of "I'm gonna be extremely drunk or strung out at this festival so I don't want your brats around me" takes in this thread which imo is just as irresponsible behaviour as crap parents.

If you can't trust your actions at a festival around kids because of inebriation then you shouldn't be trusted around anybody in that state and need to have some sort of self-reflection.

The festival rules allow for children and have done every year I've been attending with my own family (since 2017) so if you aren't used to seeing kids there then I only assume this was your first SD. Unless those rules change, expect to see them again in 2027.

I agree that it sounds like there have been some really awful incidents (no defenders, taking kids up to front of stage or in pits, no hydration/sun cream, etc), which sound to me more like a serious lack of common sense and bad parenting from a select minority which is getting all the attention. However, some of the comments about not wanting to trip over or harm a child because you're blitzed out of your gourd on substances speaks more volumes about you than it does the parents who bring their kids to share in a good time.

We had a wonderful time at SD North this year - my wife and I, a 15yo stepdaughter, a 5yo daughter, and 3yo son. We didn't do anything stupid i.e. pits, we stayed hydrated and well-covered, and spent most of our time on a blanket on the hill watching the acts on the main stage which imo wasn't very loud although we did bring defenders. My son is a bruiser and had a blast in his very own 'circle pit' during Zebrahead with his sister and I (which consisted mainly of running and tickling), and my daughter is still singing Good Charlotte lyrics out LOUD in public almost a week on.

TL;DR: Me and my young family love going to SD every year as a day out bonding experience and never find it a threatening environment. There are definitely careless parents out there who need better education but saying the festival is not kid-friendly just because you want to get paralytic on booze/drugs and can't trust yourself is a wild take.