Who’s protecting the ‘beautiful, happy children’ growing up online in influencer videos?

The rise of mommy bloggers, family vloggers, and kid-fluencers has taken the parenting world by storm in recent years. These influencers share their children’s lives online, creating cute and funny content that resonates with millions of followers. However, there has been a backlash against this trend, with some children of influencers speaking out against the practice.

In response to growing concerns, some U.S. states, such as Utah, have enacted legal protections for children of online content creators. The recent passing of Utah’s H.B. 322 Child Actor Regulations requires parents to set aside earnings from content featuring children into a trust fund that the kids can access when they turn 18. This legislation comes in the wake of a high-profile child abuse case involving Ruby Franke, a mother of six who was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for abusing her children.

While the U.S. has made strides in protecting child influencers, Canada lags behind in this regard. There are currently no laws in Canada that specifically address children featured in social media content. Experts argue that legislation is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of child influencers.

The rise of sharenting, or the practice of sharing children’s lives online, has become increasingly popular, especially during the pandemic. Family influencers can make significant amounts of money from sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram. However, as cases like Ruby Franke’s come to light, there has been a growing backlash against the exploitation of children for profit.

Some momfluencers have shifted away from featuring their children online, citing concerns about their children’s privacy and well-being. Maia Knight, a TikTok star with millions of followers, announced that she would no longer be showing her twin daughters online in order to protect them from the pressures of influencer culture.

While not all parents are influencers monetizing their children’s lives online, there are important lessons to be learned about child privacy and consent. The debate around what is appropriate to share online and the impact of constantly being in front of a camera is an important conversation for all parents to have.

In conclusion, the rise of mommy bloggers, family vloggers, and kid-fluencers has sparked a conversation about the ethics and implications of sharing children’s lives online. As the industry continues to grow, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of children and ensure that they are not exploited for profit.