Mom Influencers and Ethical Concerns of Child Content
There’s a growing conversation about how some mom influencers appear to be exploiting their children’s most vulnerable moments for social media content. A new book by Fortesa Latifi suggests that parents often see the most financial success from posts about sick or distressed children.
Latifi’s book, *Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Children and the Cost of Online Childhood*, dives into this troubling trend. High-profile cases like the Stauffer family’s adoption annulment demonstrate the ethical complexities surrounding this issue.
In a tense moment captured on social media, Jamie Ortiz, a reality TV personality, described her young son Hendrix going through a febrile seizure in 2022. “Something’s wrong with my son,” she frantically told her husband while livestreaming her distress to her million Instagram followers. This eye-opening situation unfolded in real time, with Ortiz sharing the moment her child stopped breathing.
To some influencers like Ortiz, it seems that content creation can take precedence over a child’s wellbeing. Ortiz insists that she shared the video to help inform other parents, although it originates from a painful incident.
Latifi challenges this viewpoint, arguing that making such intimate moments public is troubling. She points out, “That child was in extreme pain…they not only filmed it, they uploaded it.”
Interestingly, Latifi finds that posts featuring children in distress can attract a larger audience. Influencers have noted that their most engaging content often stems from moments of sickness or emergencies, leading to discussions about the moral implications of this approach.
Julie Jepson, a single mother of eight with her own YouTube channel, has mentioned that her most successful uploads highlight medical issues, such as injuries or emergency hospital visits. The drive for views seems to overshadow concerns about the children’s mental and emotional states.
Latifi emphasizes that the financial potential in the influencer sphere is staggering, projecting that by 2027, the creator economy might be worth $500 trillion. For those with substantial followings, the income can be life-changing, making the world of influencer marketing incredibly appealing, especially for mothers seeking flexible work options.
However, the consequences can be dire for children involved in this industry. Another influencer, Shannon Byrd, reflects on past decisions where she would incentivize her children to participate in sponsored posts, sometimes taking them to Disneyland for content creation. This raises pressing questions about consent and exploitation.
Even posts about deceased pets or children’s illnesses can lead to ethical dilemmas. For instance, YouTube star Jordan Cheyenne faced backlash when she was caught advising her son to fake tears regarding a sick pet, further illustrating the fine line between authentic storytelling and exploitation.
Latifi also discusses the troubling reality of young influencers and their families making significant sacrifices to stay relevant online. Practically, homeschooling appears to be a recurring theme among those in this space, as it offers flexibility to create content without traditional school constraints.
There are nuances to navigating public life for influencer kids. For instance, Alessi Luyendyk, daughter of a former reality star, garners attention wherever she goes, simply due to her parents’ online presence. This can lead to discomfort or unwanted encounters.
High-profile controversies, such as the Stauffer family’s decision to rehome their adopted son Huxley, punctuate the risks involved in turning family life into a content-driven business. Another case involved a toddler named Eleanor, whose mother faced accusations of posting inappropriate content, highlighting the ever-present question of consent and appropriate boundaries.
Despite the potential pitfalls, some parents continue to share their children’s lives online. For example, Andrew Garza, whose twins have a significant TikTok following, admits to worries about online safety but believes in doing his best to keep his children protected.
As of now, regulations on family vlogging remain sparse, with Illinois leading the way by passing a law that ensures children receive a share of the revenue generated from their appearances. This marks a critical step forward in addressing the complex dynamics of child influencers.
Shari Franke, a former child influencer, expressed regret about her digital childhood being public. As her mother faces serious legal issues, Shari has articulated a desire to have grown up without her life being broadcast online. She encapsulates a sentiment felt by many: the internet’s reach can have long-lasting implications on privacy and safety.
