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Utah’s New Law Transforms Child Influencer Protections Amid Ruby Franke Scandal
The recent scandal surrounding Utah parenting blogger Ruby Franke has stunned many, prompting important discussions about the welfare of children involved in social media content. In a significant move, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, Shari Franke, has taken action to advocate for better protections for child influencers in the state.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox officially signed new legislation known as HB322, a bill that Shari helped promote. This law aims to provide vital payment and privacy protections for minors working in various entertainment fields, including traditional roles in acting and digital content creation.
In an emotional post shared on Instagram in February, Shari expressed her commitment to this cause. She stated, “I have been working on drafting HB322 that would protect child influencers in our state. This bill would require parents to create a trust fund for their children and mandate that parents pay their kids a minimum amount from their earnings. Additionally, it would allow child influencers to request the removal of their content from social media platforms once they turn 18.”
Despite her efforts, Shari noted that some family bloggers and lobbyists in Utah oppose the legislation. She asserted that if ethical family vlogging is genuinely beneficial, there should be no fear of the requirement to compensate children for their contributions. Furthermore, she raised a critical point regarding consent, questioning why there is apprehension if children are genuinely content with participating in these social media endeavors.
Shari’s support for HB322 lies in the distressing background of her family’s recent experiences. Her mother, Ruby Franke, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child abuse in 2023 and received a lengthy prison sentence. This incident has catalyzed increased scrutiny concerning child welfare in influencer culture.
State Representative Doug Owens, a Democrat and primary sponsor of the bill, discussed its significance in an interview. He explained, “This legislation comprises multiple components: it safeguards traditional child actors within the entertainment industry by requiring a set-aside of 15% of their earnings for their future, mirroring regulations from other states. It also extends protections to children participating in social media content, addressing an urgent need for safety in that realm.”
Owens pointed out that often, parents are the faces behind the content, profiting from their children’s involvement. Accordingly, the law ensures that financial resources are allocated for the children as they transition into adulthood.
Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if a child finds their content distressing upon reaching adulthood, they have the right to request its removal. This aspect is particularly vital as it acknowledges the emotional and psychological implications of having once been a child star or influencer.
Ruby Franke, who rose to popularity through her YouTube channel ConneXions Classrooms, alongside Jodi Hildebrandt, now faces severe consequences following their arrest and subsequent guilty pleas regarding aggravating child abuse. Their YouTube channel was originally known for its parenting and lifestyle content, though it crumbled under allegations of parental misconduct.
Prior to her arrest, Ruby also managed a popular family vlog called 8Passengers, which meticulously documented the lives of her six children. However, viewers began expressing concerns about her parenting style and the treatment of her children, which led to a gradual decline in her online presence. The last upload to the 8Passengers channel occurred on June 5, 2019, with an absence of posts following public concern over her behaviors.
Despite the serious accusations against her and Hildebrandt, there is no available evidence suggesting that Ruby engaged in illegal activities during the tenure of her family vlog. Both she and Hildebrandt now face sentencing involving terms of up to 30 years in prison.
In an insightful memoir titled The House of My Mother, Shari detailed her experiences, recalling how she and her siblings were classified as employees of the 8Passengers LLC, a revelation that raises further questions about the exploitation of child labor in family-friendly content creation.
The tragedy of Ruby’s actions has propelled conversations surrounding the balance between family content and child safety. Critics argue that parenting and lifestyle blogs often portray a limited reality, glossing over potential issues behind the scenes. The rights of children featured in such content require heightened awareness and advocacy.
As new laws emerge, they create a pathway toward greater protections and accountability for children involved in the rapidly evolving landscape of social media and influencer culture. The case has undoubtedly spurred motivation for reform, ensuring that child influencers are not just pawns for parental profits but are guaranteed rights and protections.
Through this legislative framework, Utah sets a precedent for how states might approach the complexities of child influencers in the digital age. It’s a significant step towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable participants in this evolving industry.
As the conversation continues, it is clear that everyone has a stake in ensuring that the welfare of children remains a priority in the burgeoning world of social media, and lawmakers, influencers, and the public must engage in meaningful dialogue to uphold these values moving forward.
