Ruby Franke’s daughter, Shari, made an emotional appeal to lawmakers, expressing how her innocence was affected by her mother’s vlogging career. Shari, who was part of her mother’s popular YouTube Channel “8 Passengers,” addressed the Utah House of Representatives, shedding light on the need for more protection for child influencers. This comes after Ruby Franke was sentenced to 30 years in prison for child abuse in February.
During her testimony to the Business and Labor Interim Committee, Shari revealed, “I come today as a victim of family vlogging.” She emphasised the impact of family vlogging on children and the lack of legislation to protect them until recently. California recently passed a law requiring parents to set aside a portion of their children’s earnings from social media influencing in trust until they turn 18, a measure previously reserved for child actors under the Coogan Law.
Illinois also updated its labour laws, now mandating payment for minors under 16 who feature prominently in their parent’s or caregiver’s social media content. Shari highlighted the intensive nature of family vlogging, describing it as a full-time business with children as employees, business credit cards, and marketing strategies.
The former child influencer shared personal experiences, such as filming embarrassing moments for profit and sacrificing privacy for content. She disclosed how their family’s primary income shifted to social media and the toll it took on her childhood. Shari expressed regret, stating, “If I could go back and do it all again, I’d rather have an empty bank account now and not have my childhood plastered all over the internet.”
Shari announced her memoir titled “The House of my Mother,” set for release on January 7, 2025, in which she plans to share her story of growing up under public scrutiny. She aims to convey the struggles faced behind the scenes of their seemingly perfect online presence. Shari’s poignant testimony serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden realities of family vlogging and the need to safeguard the well-being of child influencers.