Shari Franke, the eldest child of the former family vlogger Ruby Franke, made a compelling testimony before the Utah Senate on Wednesday on the ills of family vlogging, stating how the practice makes “employees” out of children.

“There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger”, she said, while arguing fervently for the implementation of laws aimed at protecting child influencers. Shari, who was regularly featured on the once-popular YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” described family vlogging as an inherently unethical practice.

Child Influencers: More Than Just Online Personalities

Together with her siblings, Shari experienced first-hand the effects of her mother’s actions, which were scrutinized by millions. Her mother, Ruby Franke, was a key figure in the family vlogging sphere until her arrest in August 2023 on charges of child abuse. In her testimony, Shari stated, “I don’t come today as the daughter of a felon, nor as a victim of an abnormally abusive mother. I come today as a victim of family vlogging.”

She highlighted the professional nature of family vlogging pointing out that it bordered on ‘exploitative’. She described it as a full-time job that involves managers, business credit cards, marketing strategies, and even rewards for participating in videos, which could be emotionally exploitative.

Shari’s memoir titled “The House of my Mother” releases on January 7, 2025. Talking about the release, she posted on her Instagram, “After years of silence, I’m finally sharing MY story in my own words.”

Utah as a Hub for Family Vlogging

Shari also commented on the prevalence of family vlogging in Utah, attributing its popularity in part to the local Latter-Day Saints (LDS) culture which values large families and public sharing of personal life. She urged Utah lawmakers to address the issue proactively, to prevent the exploitation of children for profit under the guise of family-oriented content.

Ruby Franke’s Downfall

Ruby Franke gained infamy through the “8 Passengers” channel, drawing millions of views before facing backlash over her parenting methods. The situation escalated when one of her children sought help from a neighbor, leading to Ruby’s arrest and subsequent guilty plea to multiple felony counts of child abuse.

Ruby, alongside her business partner Jodi Hildenbrandt, faced significant legal repercussions, highlighting the serious consequences of misusing family-centric social media platforms for personal gain.

Shari’s public response to her mother’s arrest was one of relief and vindication, shared with her followers on social media, underscoring a long struggle for justice within her family.

A Call for Protection and Legislation

As lawmakers consider her testimony and the broader implications for child influencers, the need for robust legal frameworks becomes ever more apparent, ensuring the protection of children in the increasingly digital and public world.

Shari’s testimony comes at a time when proposals for child-influencer laws are advancing in several states, with Illinois, Minnesota, and California having already enacted such legislation. These laws aim to offer financial and privacy protections for children involved in monetized online content. Franke pointed out the lack of current state laws to protect the earnings and welfare of child influencers, drawing parallels between their experiences and having Stockholm syndrome—feeling powerless over the content involving them, manipulated by parental pressure.