“I come today as a victim of family vlogging,” said Sheri Frankie before the Utah House of Representatives. Frankie was part of the popular YouTube channel “8 Passengers.” The channel consisted of her and her five siblings and their daily lives. The channel has been deleted as the mother, Ruby Frankie, was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison on several child abuse charges. The case is heartbreaking and complex, and it shows that not everything behind the cameras is as perfect as these creators want you to believe. The 8 Passengers case was an extreme example of how damaging the life of a young content creator can be and how family channels are a prime example of mistreatment and taking advantage of young kids.
Social media can allow for the exploitation of young children, who sometimes cannot even talk. Family channels can force their children to work endlessly and sometimes isolate their kids with this lifestyle. Babies, young children, and teenagers work while the parents stand behind the camera and enjoy the thousands- or even millions- of revenue these channels can make. As of now, there is only one law in Illinois that protects minors who are subjected to this type of lifestyle.
Many apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have age limitations that require the user to be 18+, but with parents running these channels, these restrictions can be bypassed. You can open any social media app and see a newborn baby. Parents can film their three-minute-old child and post them to a sea of people who can judge them on their name, looks, and more. Social media is not a place for young children as it exposes them to a dangerous and judgmental world. Children “influencers” are forced to share their happiest or saddest moments without having a say in what moments of their lives get posted. If you are a child who is forced to be in family vlogging, you are no longer a child. Instead, you become an unpaid employee to your parents who enjoy all the benefits. Almost every aspect of their lives such as school, drama, and awkward moments are documented on these channels.
“The camera never stops, there is no such thing as a vacation from filming,” said Frankie. The work of non-stop filming this “perfect life” that these channels try to create becomes exhausting as they try to live up to a perfect image. When the camera starts rolling, children are like workers who are supposed to get likes and views. It’s extremely common for family channels to post their young children crying or an extremely uncomfortable moment. For the parents that run these channels, no matter how upset or in distress their child is; it doesn’t matter- as long as it gets the likes, the views, and the money it is “raw” and “relatable.
Over the years, several incidents like the Frankie case have been questioned, as well as the ethics of family channels. Many ask why these channels are still permitted, as they instill fear and can control children with a camera. Over the years, even more concerning types of channels have popped up. “Van Life” is this new trend where parents and their children will live in a small RV or van, painted as an educational and fun experience for their children. But there’s much more to van life than just traveling. The kids don’t have any stability since they’re always moving. These kids never get a sense of security and unreliability since they are unable to have routines which can leave kids stressed and anxious.
But these channels still get millions of views, even with their questionable ethics. YouTube is unlikely to restrict or stop these channels because viewer traffic and money are more important.
Why are children being forced to pay for their childhood, because adults want fast cash and fame? Nothing protects the children and parents will often have more children because it’s good for channel revenue. Imagine being a prop or extra character in your parents’ production.
In several instances, there have been accusations of parents putting their children in danger by posting their school, full name, or an entire outside view of their house. This has subjected their children to dangerous situations, including kidnappings. These channels need to be stopped. Kids under 16 should not be subjected to this “family vlog life”. It creates a toxic, dangerous, and anxiety-ridden environment. With the year just starting, it’s time to make the change, stop watching these channels, don’t create a family channel, and talk in your local community about how these children can be protected.
