To think this influencer is right not to show her child any more

[Brownbearwhitebear]

I don’t follow many influencers but a few pop up on my feed from when my daughter was into them. I’ve noticed that one of them who’s made a very successful career out of it has decided she’s no longer showing her child’s face now that they’re starting school and I admire her decision.

In contrast I’ve just seen a post by a well-known cleaning influencer who seems lovely but imo shares waaay too much about her children. Another one is clearly setting her older daughter up as some kind of mini-me influencer and it’s completely cringey.

I know it’s been said before but I think there’s going to be a big backlash when these kids get older and realise how much of their lives has been shown online - whether that’s ‘proper’ celebrities or influencers AIBU to think it’s a bad idea to monetise your kids like this.

Absolutely! I completely agree with you. It’s been heartwarming to see the positive changes on social media lately, particularly regarding informed consent and protecting children online. I really admire parents who prioritize their children's well-being by keeping them off social media. Personally, I try not to follow influencers who share content featuring kids. There’s something off-putting about family vloggers, mommy bloggers, or lifestyle influencers who think it's acceptable to disclose the intimate details of their children's lives, from the moment of conception. Nothing is sacred, from the layout of their home, where their child sleeps, what they wear each day, their food preferences, and their daily schedules, which feels almost more intrusive than the child stars of yesteryear. Even if these influencers realize their mistakes later on, it's better to acknowledge them than remain oblivious. I feel sorry for many kids whose parents prioritize attention from internet strangers. It’s disheartening to observe how out of touch and self-absorbed some of these parents can be in real life, along with the long-term effects of growing up in such an environment.

Lots of 'influencers' choose not to show their children's faces now, but it is a red herring because I know absolutely everything else about them, their routine, their medical info, where they went on holiday, the area where they live and could work out which school or nursery they go to. Not knowing exactly what their face looks like seems irrelevant in comparison. The only influencers I have any respect for are the ones who keep their children offline entirely.

Is the mini-me influencer Louise Pentland's eldest daughter by any chance? And the cleaner Mrs Hinch?

I thought the op is referring to Zoe sugg

There's a youtuber called Hannah Alonso who makes detailed videos about this - she calls it "sharenting" - and she outlines very well why children shouldn't be onscreen and their lives shouldn't be publicized. Personally I can't even understand the appeal of looking at this content. Videos of children tantruming or potty training or god knows what else are not interesting.

I agree. There’s a lot of influencers getting on board with the online safety act, whilst continuing to show their kids faces online! I mean what!

I feel so sorry for all these children having their lives documented for all and sundry to see, even more disturbing is the amount of these TikTok’s that are saved by god knows who.
I know one so called “influencer” and she absolutely uses her DC for monetary gain

One who did this alot, or maybe still does, was Charlotte Dawson.

Completely agree it's a massive invasion of privacy and in 10 years or so these kids will be livid!

On a side note, who is actually influenced by these idiots?

A lot of people. Influencers are a key part of companies marketing strategies these days. There is huge money in this.

I don't know but they make lots of money from ads, affiliate links and get a load of free stuff including holidays. All on the back of monetising their kid's childhoods. It seems very unfair.

Yeah this. For a lot of them, content creation is their day job that they’ve given up a “regular” job for

I'll be interested to see how she manages it because as you say there's more info that can be gleaned from videos and other content even without showing faces.

And yes those are the 2 I was referring to.

Children should not be allowed on social media, until they're old enough to understand the highs and lows, digital footprint, and informed consent. If I ruled the world, there would be a blanket ban of photos and identifiable information of all children until 16+.

I think using your children for content/to make money is just a level of parenting that I will never understand and I think more needs to be done about it if I’m being brutally honest. Documentaries are out there to watch like Bad Influence on Netflix for example - I have genuine concerns for the children who have an online presence.

I think exploiting your children for profit is distasteful and potentially dangerous.

Small children cannot make an informed decision regarding their consent to such lack of privacy.

The ones that annoy me are those that protect their own privacy and don’t show their own face or real name. Doesn’t stop them posting half naked pictures of their primary school children on the beach and their child’s bedroom. One in particular has just moved to a small Scottish village and posted a picture of her new house. Doesn’t take a genius to work out exactly where she lives. Are these people really that naive?

Unless they stop talking about the kids beyond the generic comments like the child is at school/summer holidays, not showing their faces is only part of respecting their privacy. With some of the kids, it must be strange to meet someone new like a teacher and they know all about you already.

I love the changes of heart about showing faces - as if they didn’t know what they were doing all along using a cute baby/toddler to gain freebies and followers

This. I have never knowingly watched an influencer in my life. I don't get it.
I am more than capable of running my own life, I think if I needed help or advice a forum or professional is the place to start.
I wouldn't dream of taking lifestyle advice from people who only really have an interest in how things look.

A lot of the random strangers on the internet posting on their kids pictures are perverts of the highest order. You should see some of the comments. They essentially knowingly put their kids out for consumption. These parents are somewhat sick in the head themselves, doing this to their kids.

One bad example is Ruby Franke, the Utah influencer mom who used her kids to earn money. She’s kind of an extreme case as she was abusive, but kept documenting her family life to great extent.

I'm just reading the Daily Mail about Molly-Mae Hague and her 24/7 filming of Bambi so that her followers 'get' how difficult she is finding life with a toddler.
What a loon.

Influencers are just a modern way of advertising. People don’t watch adverts anymore therefore companies have got to find other ways. It’s not all bad, I have found loads of brilliant products through watching online influencers. It’s not all tat.

Personally I never post pictures of my children online. Not even on my private social media.

However, playing devils advocate, children have always been used in advertising historically. Not only that but as child actors, models and singers.

Personally I find it unsettling when these influencers film and publicise their children’s private moments.

However, they are making a good living out of it and often sending their children to private school, owning big houses, having amazing holidays.

Where do you draw the line in terms of children being photographed and filmed?

The Beckhams are the original. I always found it appalling how they simply chose not to protect their children. Happily using them to further the brand aims …aka money. They never had a chance to discover who they were, or what they wanted …they were just products.