Like, Follow, Subscribe: Is The Internet a Place for Children? Inspired by Kalie Robbins' Unsettling Discovery

This week Kalie Robins, a mom, discovered that Facebook was compiling a profile on her minor children that ultimately gave strangers her family's full names, photographs, birthdays, and her home address. There are so many reasons not to put your kids on the internet and this episode delves into troubling dynamics of child influencers in the book "Like, Follow, Subscribe" by Fortessa Latifi. We examine the ethics surrounding the phenomenon in terms of consent and the long-lasting implications for children whose lives are broadcasted online. The conversation considers the stark contrast between the lucrative opportunities for parents and the potential psychological and emotional toll on the children involved. As we navigate through various case studies, including both the successes and scandals of prominent family vloggers, we underscore the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to protect minors in the digital landscape. We discuss the responsibilities of parents and the societal implications of commodifying childhood in a voyeuristic culture.Takeaways:The podcast discusses the ethical implications of child influencers and their online presence, emphasizing the need for informed consent, which young children are unable to provide adequately.Parents often face a moral dilemma regarding the monetization of their children's images, balancing financial benefits against potential long-term psychological harm to the child.The conversation highlights the complicated nature of parental responsibility, particularly in the context of social media, where children’s privacy is often compromised for profit.The podcast reflects on the evolution of mommy blogging into influencer culture, noting that while some parents find success, many families face significant challenges and ethical concerns in the process.Listeners are urged to consider the lasting impacts of exposing children to a public platform, particularly in an age of increasing digital surveillance and potential exploitation.The discussion underscores a growing call for more robust legal frameworks to protect child influencers, as current laws do not adequately address the complexities of modern content creation.Companies mentioned in this episode:Habit CoachTesting MomFortessa LatifiReal HousewivesBravoNext Gen nycKardashiansMormonsRachel ParcelBallerina FarmShannon BirdRyan's WorldAlex CooperCall Her DaddyBecca MartinezKim ZolciakAriana BiermanBethany JohnsonRuby FrankePiper RaquelCarissa Collins