While navigating YouTube looking for something to watch, you’re captivated by a family vlogging channel, which looks interesting solely based on the cover. At a period of time where personal lives are broadcasted across various platforms, family vlogging has turned everyday moments into content. For many viewers, the question arises — are these children simply living in the moment as they are filmed or are they props in their parents’ performance?
From an outsider’s perspective or as the audience, you see the embodiment of the “perfect” family. Ultimately, watching these families seems to be taking you away from reality. You are captivated by unrealistic expectations. These vlogging channels not only builds concern for the children involved but also makes the audience contemplate their own life when they see unrealistic standards.
Family influencer culture gives rise to many concerns, especially regarding the children involved. Parents build their “brand” off of their children in turn for their wealth. They profit off of them, often sharing personal things, violating their privacy.
The content posted across social media, including the platforms such as, YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, etc. reaches a lot of people which violates the children considering how young they may be. A lot of content can attract the wrong audience and pose a threat to the children involved. However, despite these circumstances, parents continue to utilize their children for views and money.
Youtube channel “8 Passengers” consisted of a family of 8, the parents Ruby Franke, Kevin Franke and the 6 children. Starting to vlog in 2015 Ruby Franke vlogged her everyday life with her children to show the type of parent she was. Oftentimes, the comments were filled with positive feedback, mentioning how good of a mom she was and what a beautiful family she had.
Her family was showcased as the “perfect family”, spending time together, reading scripture, etc. Throughout the years, the content remained “normal” to the audience. However, as time went on, viewers started to realize the dark truth behind the family. Many realized that Ruby’s punishments towards her children were abnormal, often referring to dinner as a “privilege” that could easily be taken away.
Ruby and Kevin also sent their oldest son, Chad to behavioral camp due to his misbehavior. Ultimately, Ruby’s punishments towards her children were abnormal, it seemed as her “punishments” were made to make her children suffer rather than trying to redirect their misbehavior.
In addition to this, another vlogger, Piper Rockelle has recently received more backlash towards her content, and more specifically her mother’s actions. A documentary “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Influencing” is an upcoming series on Netflix where former friends of Piper share the negative experiences they faced while filming with Piper at her house.
A number of viewers have noticed that the content Rockelle posts isn’t age appropriate and many believe her mom is the one influencing her to post them. The docuseries revolves around the many friends that were associated with Rockelle that are now speaking up towards the abuse they experienced from her mother.
In addition to this, many families have received the same backlash from viewers where they comment on the exploitation of the children involved in the videos. The “ACE Family” received backlash for their behavioral change in the videos when they started to gain more audience and more money. In their older videos the family came across as “humble” to the viewers, but the more audience they had, the less relatable they became.
All family vlogging channels seem to follow the same trend, children are exploited for money and views.
Being raised in front of an audience diminishes reality and what is being filmed. Children involved in vlogging can begin to feel as though certain emotions or experiences are only valuable if they attract views. This could raise issues in children not experiencing life without an audience watching, which invades their privacy. Some children may also feel obligated to participate in content even if they don’t want to.
While family vlogging seems like harmless entertainment, it comes with a significant cost to the children involved and those who are consuming it. The young children involved grow up in a world where their consent is overlooked and their lives become entertainment for profit. The audience is fed unrealistic portrayals of family life, causing unhealthy comparisons and reinforcing exploitative content.
Parent family vlogging channels should be held accountable. Viewers should think about the content they consume and support creators who don’t prioritize ethics over engagement. Legislators should enforce more protections for child influencers. Most importantly, children’s wellbeing should be valued over the views they receive or the money that is coming in.
Written By: Leslie Negrete, Opinions Editor