Outside of literal law enforcement, the "handcuff" aesthetic has appeared in various lifestyle and fashion subcultures.

High-profile cases, such as a Detroit judge who handcuffed a 15-year-old for falling asleep on a field trip, quickly become viral sensations, sparking debate about discipline vs. abuse of power.

In legal and social contexts, the use of handcuffs on teenagers is increasingly under fire, with a growing movement to ban or strictly limit the practice.