In today’s digital age, platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer adults the opportunity to exploit children for personal profit, often without sufficient oversight or legal protections. Children who participate in online content creation, particularly in family-oriented media, are not guaranteed privacy, fair compensation, or the legal safeguards typically afforded to child actors.
To address this issue, there are two potential avenues for protecting these children:
-
Regulatory Oversight and Child Welfare Checks
A system could be implemented where media accounts featuring children are registered with a protective agency that monitors the impact of content creation on the child’s development. Regular check-ins could ensure that the child’s education, well-being, and privacy are not compromised for the sake of content production. In cases where a child’s involvement in online media negatively affects their development or education, appropriate restrictions could be imposed on the content creators or families involved. -
Financial Protections and Compensation
Alternatively, if regulatory intervention seems too invasive, there should be financial protections for children who are integral to the success of online content. Much like the system in place for child actors, a portion of the income generated by the media—including earnings from platforms, merchandise sales, and brand deals—should be set aside in trust funds for the children, to be released when they come of age. This would ensure that children are fairly compensated for their contributions to the content that generates significant revenue.
Currently, there are no legal guarantees or protections for children involved in family-centric media on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. These children should be afforded similar legal protections as child actors, ensuring both their welfare and their right to compensation when they come of age.
Why this proposal is relevant
One high-profile example that underscores the urgency of this issue is the 8 Passengers case. Ruby Franke, along with her husband Kevin Franke, ran a popular family vlog channel on YouTube, which showcased the lives of their six children. Despite the seemingly wholesome content, the Frankes were later arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse and neglect. The case revealed a stark contrast between the image the family portrayed online and the abusive practices that were allegedly taking place behind the scenes. The Frankes profited significantly from their children’s participation in the channel, yet the children did not have any legal safeguards to ensure their well-being or financial compensation.
This case highlights the potential for exploitation in the unregulated world of online family content and illustrates why robust protections are needed. Children involved in such media should be afforded the same protections as child actors, ensuring their physical and emotional safety, as well as fair compensation for their contributions.