This seems completely conceivable to me.

You're not allowed to use a playground unless you're with a child (new york): https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1128/705238326_dd2bad6ea5_b.jp...

There's plenty of stories of men being yelled at for taking pictures of their own kids, e.g. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/04/13/acpd-woman-pepper-sprayed-...

British Airways wont seat an unaccompanied minor next to a man traveling alone: https://www.bbc.com/news/10401416

If you look like a dude, and are relatively near children, you're a suspect.