The Mormon YouTube channel, Eight Passengers, faced controversies involving child abuse charges and questionable parenting practices.
Exploitation of the Eight Passengers children for content and sponsorship deals raised concerns about their well-being and privacy.
Ruby and Kevin Franke's decision to withhold Christmas gifts from their children reveals their emphasis on strict boundaries and repentance.
The tragic case of Ruby Franke highlights the importance of being critical of online influencers and recognizing the potential harm they may cause behind the scenes.
Deep dives
The Rise of Eight Passengers
Eight Passengers is a popular YouTube channel created by the Frankie family, who are a Mormon family with six kids. The channel gained significant success, reaching 2.3 million subscribers by 2023. Their content revolves around everyday family life, showcasing activities, vacations, and parenting techniques. The family heavily integrates their Mormon values and beliefs into their content, expressing support for traditional family values and promoting church teachings.
Controversies Surrounding Eight Passengers
Eight Passengers faced numerous controversies over the years. One major issue involved Ruby Frankie, the mother of the family, collaborating with a problematic Mormon therapist named Jodi Hildebrandt. Ruby and Jodi formed a Facebook group and started posting videos discussing parenting to a largely Mormon audience. However, the situation took a dark turn when Ruby and Jodi were arrested on abuse charges after one of their malnourished children was found begging for food and water, with duct tape wrapped around their wrists and ankles.
The Exploitation of Children and Controversial Parenting Tactics
One concerning aspect of Eight Passengers was the exploitation of their children for content and sponsorship deals. The kids were constantly featured in videos, often showcasing mundane activities. However, more disturbing incidents occurred, such as a child being kicked out of their bedroom and forced to sleep on a beanbag for seven months. Additionally, Ruby sent one of her children to a wilderness camp for troubled teens, indicating questionable parenting practices. These controversies raised serious concerns about the well-being and privacy of the children in the family.
Ruby and Kevin impose strict boundaries for Christmas
During a recorded conversation with Jodi Hildebrandt, Ruby and Kevin reveal their decision to withhold Christmas gifts from their two youngest children. They justify their action by stating that their children have shown patterns of selfishness and an unwillingness to repent for their choices. The couple plans to give their children the "gift of truth" by setting strict boundaries and emphasizing the importance of repentance. They inform their children that they will not be visited by Santa Claus and will not receive Christmas presents like their older siblings.
Law enforcement intervention and Kevin's involvement
On August 30th, law enforcement showed up at Ruby and Kevin's home in Springville. Both Ruby and Kevin were present and were separated and questioned. While it was initially believed that Kevin was arrested, it seems he may have just been detained. A statement from Kevin's lawyer indicated that he is seeking fatherly involvement with the children, raising questions about his custody status. The role of Kevin in this situation remains unclear.
Parental alienation and suppression of male involvement
There are speculations that Jodi Hildebrandt, Ruby's business partner and alleged girlfriend, may have played a role in separating Kevin from his children. Jodi's teachings and support groups appeared to stigmatize and shame men, which could have contributed to Kevin's potential alienation from his family. However, this does not excuse Kevin's involvement or neglect in the situation.
The importance of scrutinizing online personalities
The tragic case of Ruby Frank highlights the need to be critical of the content we consume and the online influencers we idolize. It is crucial to recognize that what we see online is often a carefully curated version of reality and may not reflect the true character or actions of a person. The danger lies in blindly following and idolizing individuals without considering the potential harm they may be causing behind the scenes.
The necessity of prioritizing relationships over ideology
The case of Ruby Frank and Jodi Hildebrandt reinforces the importance of valuing relationships above rigid principles and conformity. Prioritizing love, kindness, and compassion over adherence to rules or beliefs is crucial in ensuring the well-being of individuals and avoiding harmful situations like the abuse suffered by the children in this case. It is a reminder that promoting unconditional love and nurturing relationships with others should take precedence over any ideology or religious doctrines.
Join John Dehlin and YouTubers Jordan and McKay (@jordanmckay) to discuss the recent arrest of Mormon YouTube Mom Ruby Franke of "8 Passengers" fame and Mormon therapist Jodi Hildebrandt on child abuse charges. We will be discussing the history of the Franke family and the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, as well as the super-controversial work of Jodi Hildebrandt as a Mormon therapist focusing on "sexual addiction" (i.e. masturbation), marriage counseling, and parenting. We welcome your stories as well!
