What kid likes being dragged around the mall with their little arm held constantly held high enough hold onto an adults hand?
Exactly, I had 3 kids, 13 months apart. They were harnessed when we went for hikes or traveled. Especially in airports, malls and parks.
At one point I was pregnant with a one year old in a back pack and a two year old on a leash. Anyone questioning me to my face would have been told off tout suite.
As for them getting yanked backward if they took off, guess what? None of them did it twice. They quickly understood the laws of physics. When the harnesses got brought out, they knew we were going somewhere new, fun and exciting.