Not babies. I saw a headline of" baby runs amok". It was the father who photoshopped pictures placing baby in "amok" scenes like handstands on the kitchen counter. That was from ABC News and was pathetic as humour, and then pathetic from a news organization. And I guess also pathetic from the father.
Another misuse of "run amok": old person on TikTok video wiggling hips as though that was "running amok". I guess it is a wishful sentiment for "amok" activities gone by. Another example of pathetic as humour.
Pathetic maybe, but "running amok" is not a humorous expression. Running amok's entry in Wikipedia - an individual (almost always male), having shown no previous sign of anger or any inclination to violence, will acquire a weapon (traditionally a sword or dagger, but possibly any of a variety of weapons) and in a sudden frenzy, will attempt to kill or seriously injure anyone he encounters and himself.
This is a serious situation and a devastating result. It is a psychiatric condition. It is serious - people died. That's not where we are anymore. The most common running amok is "children." It still involves irrational-acting behaviour. That might be something to expect of children, as they haven't developed rational behaviour.
The headlines ask why people let kids run amok in... all manner of places - bars, breweries, coffee shops, music festivals, and so on. Always public places. So mostly "run amok" today has evolved to mean a complaint to describe wild or unruly behaviour that is ultimately harmless. You can buy an Amok today - it is a hammock.
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