In this week's episode, I explore the very dark consequences of putting children online. I specifically focus on children whose parents post on their behalf— turning them into 'child influencers.' I look at how posting content of minors online relinquishes control of their image & how that can end up in the wrong hands. I finish by diving into the laws in both the U.S. and Australia that do or do not protect children on social media.

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Timestamps:

7:02 Introduction to child influencers

9:08 Why we should be worried about these accounts

12:58 Addressing criticism against those who speak out

14:58 #SaveWren and family vloggers taking their children offline

21:03 The difference between family vloggers & child influencers

22:56 U.S. laws

26:20 Australian laws

30:04 Why brands are culpable too

31:31 Why platforms won’t remove child influencer accounts

Sources:

https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthakastenholtt/video/7340347023347977505?_t=8koxFeB8Yeg&_r=1

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/us/instagram-child-influencers.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Y00.yWNe.mtYradNkIGk0&smid=url-share

https://www.tiktok.com/@wren.eleanor/video/7128469642921807150?_r=1&_t=8knW45HIYdj

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a60125272/sharenting-parenting-influencer-cost-children/

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/tiktok-wren-eleanor-moms-controversy-1385182/

https://www.businessinsider.com/wren-jacquelyn-tiktok-online-predators-momfluencer-2022-7

https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/social-media-and-children-2023-legislation

https://lsj.com.au/articles/a-grey-zone-regulations-on-the-rights-of-child-influencers/