Family Vlogging - Should someone’s childhood become a show?

Article written by: Puravi Abburi

Article designed by: Puravi Abburi & Palak Tiwari

In the digital age, family vlogging has become a popular genre on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Parents share their daily lives, milestones, and intimate moments, often featuring their children as central figures. While these videos can offer relatable content and foster online communities, they also raise significant ethical questions: Should a child's life be broadcast for the world to see?

There’s something comforting about watching real families go about their daily lives, like it's a heartwarming reality show. You get to see the funny moments, the messy ones, and the heartwarming stuff, too. A lot of people tune in because it feels relatable, like watching a friend’s home videos. While all this attention may seem harmless, there are some serious concerns beneath the surface. For starters, kids in vlogs aren’t actors. They don’t sign contracts, they don’t choose to be filmed, and they don’t understand what “being famous on the internet” even means. And when you grow up with a camera always pointed at you, that can have real consequences. Everything from your first day at school to your worst tantrum might be permanently online. These moments can come back later in life in ways no one can predict. Plus, kids don’t get to decide what’s filmed or shared; that power lies entirely with the parents. There’s growing concern about how being in the spotlight affects kids long-term. When your life is always on display, it can mess with your self-esteem and sense of identity. Some teens who grew up on camera have shared that they felt like they were “performing” rather than just being themselves. Others say they now struggle with anxiety, depression, or just feeling like they didn’t get to experience a real childhood, something that wasn't a show.

One of the worst scenarios of family vlogging gone wrong is the story of Ruby Franke, the creator of the 8 Passengers YouTube channel. Starting in 2015, the channel showcased the daily lives of Ruby, her husband, and their six children. 8 passengers quickly rose to fame, at its peak, having 2.5 million subscribers and over a billion views. However, behind the scenes, the reality proved to be a stark contrast from the wholesome content shown online. In August 2023, Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. The situation was revealed when Ruby's 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt's home, running to a neighbor while appearing starved and injured. Investigations revealed a pattern of abuse in the Franke home, slowly increasing as the number of 8 passengers increased. Overall, this led to widespread outrage and addressed the potential dangers of family vlogging. Ruby Franke’s daughter now fights for regulations and laws surrounding family vlogging.While family vlogging isn't inherently bad, filming kids throughout their daily lives puts them in a spotlight where cruelty and judgment from internet users is constant.

Works Cited

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