Exploitation is embedded and prominent in not only the film industry but in the media industry as a whole. Like most abuse, when upholding a facade it can be difficult to identify what is authentic and what is not. When children are showcased in more contained environments such as social media, the expectation of abuse is lessened, however, it very much exists.
Children on YouTube and social media is something that has been popularized since the late 2000s. Well-known vloggers such as the “ShayTards” and “Daily Bumps” gained the attention of many, normalizing children being in front of the camera and later published online. But what does this unsolicited fame do to a young child and their perception of growing up?
In 2015 a new family entered the realm of YouTube vlogging entitled “8 Passengers”. The channel focused on sharing the daily lives of both parents, Ruby and Kevin Franke, alongside their six children. The account gained popularity quickly and many looked forward to seeing each new vlog, however, so much occurred behind the scenes that would have gone unnoticed had law enforcement gotten involved.
In August 2023, Ruby Franke got arrested for child abuse after one of her children escaped their home, covered in wounds, begging for help from neighbors. Although Kevin Franke was not convicted, this arrest still revealed the horrors that occurred when the camera was turned off. Instances such as sending one her children away to an abusive wilderness program, making one of the children sleep on a beanbag for over six months and consistent verbal abuse are just a few of what these children endured. Additionally, both parents profited off of their children since their main form of income was the YouTube channel and the children never received any payout from the channel.
Although the children range in age, every child received various forms of abuse and online exploitation that will forever follow them. The two youngest children experienced being tied up and starved and much more could have occurred to the eldest children. This is a direct representation of horrors that can occur when placing a child in front of a camera to profit off of them.
The YouTube channel drove Ruby Franke to stray away from parenthood and focus on upholding views in order to make a profit, even if it was at the expense of her children. “8 Passengers” is a primary example of the downfalls and trauma that child exploitation will do to a family. Not only is the family broken apart but the children are forever marked by the abuse imposed behind the scenes.
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