Virgin Media viewers were left shocked by a "shameful" claim during The Tonight Show on Wednesday.
Journalist Larissa Nolan spoke about the decision by NPHET and government to advise children from third class and up to wear a face covering in school.
And when asked for her thoughts on the decision, she said: "I think it's a form of child abuse.
"I think that at this stage of the game to introduce masks for children for seven hours a day sitting in school with their faces muzzled, with something over their face, and expect them to learn and be happy in the classroom."
She continued: "To do all this while at the same time implementing a measure overnight with no time for parents to plan, total disrespect to children and children's lives or how children even work, when it's disproportionate, it's not the only thing we had to do."
And social media users were not happy with the description of the measure as "child abuse".
One viewer wrote: "I've experienced child abuse. How dare she compare wearing a mask to something that nearly killed me.
"Trust me if I'd a choice between being abused and wearing a mask. I know what I would pick."
While another added: "As a mum of two school going children who wear masks when I ask them, not in my name and SHAME on those who use these words to describe wearing masks, how little have they to complain about if this is such a strong 'problem' in their family."
And a third viewer wrote: "I hope she would apologise to those who have suffered abuse, wearing a mask it not abuse. I am sorry this has hurt you."
