Is There Such A Thing As a Moral or Ethical Family Vlogger? Monetising Kids Online
Oct 28, 2024
auto_awesome
The hosts dive into the intriguing world of family vlogging, questioning whether it can ever be truly ethical. They unpack the serious implications of monetizing children's lives online, spurred by a troubling child abuse case linked to a popular vlogger. Discussions include informed consent for child creators and the potential exploitation involved. The episode balances this heavy topic with light-hearted personal anecdotes, including the humorous challenges of scattering ashes and the allure of traditional gender roles.
The podcast highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding family vlogging, emphasizing that no family vlogger can truly be considered moral due to privacy concerns.
The hosts discuss the importance of children's consent and autonomy in online content sharing, and the potential legal need to protect minors.
Deep dives
Weekend Escapades and Trad Wife Aspirations
One host reflects on a weekend getaway to Bundina, describing it as a refreshing escape from the hustle of Sydney. This experience inspires thoughts of living a 'trad wife' lifestyle, which includes baking bread, foraging for eggs, and collecting honey from bees. Although it initially sounds appealing, the realities of the traditional lifestyle come crashing back upon returning home, where frozen meals and urban life starkly contrast rustic bliss. Ultimately, the whimsical dream of country living is tempered by the humor of modern life, emphasizing that the traditional role may not be as simple as it seems.
Sentiments and Humor in Scattering Ashes
A deeply personal story unfolds regarding the scattering of a host's grandparents' ashes, highlighting the mix of grief and levity in the process. The experience is lightened by memories of the grandparents' humorous requests about their final resting place, particularly a humorous anecdote involving a plastic bag for the ashes. The scattering event takes an unexpected turn when a mishap leads to ashes accidentally spilling onto the host, evoking laughter among family members despite the emotional weight of the occasion. This dichotomy of solemnity and humor reinforces the idea that finding lightness in grief can be a comforting and healing aspect of mourning.
The Ethics of Family Vlogging
A discussion emerges around the controversial practice of family vlogging, spotlighting the issues of consent and exploitation of children in the online space. The case of Ruby Frankie, a family vlogger charged with child abuse, serves as a catalyst for examining the morality behind sharing family life for monetary gain. One prominent voice in this conversation, Shari Frankie, articulates her belief that no family vlogger can be deemed moral or ethical because the constant filming can strip away a child's privacy and autonomy. This challenging discourse leads to an exploration of the blurred lines between content creation and child exploitation, raising questions about the responsibilities of parents and the potential need for legal regulations in the industry.
Navigating Online Parenting Responsibilities
The conversation delves into the impact of sharing children's lives online, raising concerns about privacy and safety. Although some parents emphasize a balanced approach by choosing to share selectively and responsibly, the unpredictable dynamics of social media expose children to potential risks, including exploitation by online predators. The importance of fostering children's consent and autonomy in shared content is underscored, echoing the belief that minors cannot genuinely consent to the exposure of their lives online. The dialogue concludes with a push for stronger legislative measures to safeguard children in the family vlogging space while still acknowledging that many parents genuinely love their children and seek to protect them.
Hey Lifers! Britt has potentially found a new life... as a trad wife! Either that or she's going off grid more often. Laura has had a bit of a mishap spreading her beautiful grandparent's ashes.
How do you feel about sharing your kids online? Where is the line when it comes to kids being paid to create online content? You might remember the horrible story of the mum, Ruby Franke, who was charged with 4 counts of child abuse earlier this year. There is a brand new film called 'Mormon Mom Gone Wrong' that came out on Oct 26 that details the story of the Franke family and their youtube account that had 2 million subscribers. Shari Franke is now 21 years old and has shared her testimony in court about her experiences of abuse and family vlogging. She states that there is no such thing as a moral and ethical family vlogger. We unpack these questions:
Should children have a say in family vlogging content?
What are the ethical implications of involving kids in content?
Can you get informed consent from kids?
How should kids be ‘compensated’ if they are making content that makes money?
Does it matter if they make money? Does it change when it becomes a significant income source?