How are Children “Used” on Social Media

Nowadays, children have access from a really young age to the internet and social media due to digital evolvement. However, they can also be an “attraction” on social media too. Indeed, as the Italian blogger and businesswoman Chiara Ferragni, who exposes her pregnancy and pictures of her labor to the eyes of her 12 million Instagram followers. Or, Kylie Jenner, publishing a video of her pregnancy, 3 days after she gave birth to her daughter and gathering 62 million views. And now, publishing videos of her daughter on Snapchat.

Also, the Belgian model Rose Bertram who created an Instagram account for her newborn daughter already reaching 30,000 followers. The influencers emit an image of perfection, perfect bodies, face, clothes, lives, boyfriend or girlfriend. They also try to give the image of a perfect family. Therefore, maybe that’s a way to reach a wider audience. But most of all, their children become content on their social media.

However, it is also a way to keep being in the trending actualities. These children are exposed really soon to many critics on social media. Besides, children are also very present on YouTube. The parents film, edit and publish their videos. Since, on YouTube, you can earn money with videos, the parents can touch some money by publishing videos of their children. When some parents keep the money on a bank account waiting for their children’s majority. Some others take advantage of this money. For example, Ryan from the channel “Ryan ToysReview.” He is a 8-year-old who gains more than 11 million dollars, only by showing himself unpacking toys.

Is it considered as child labor?

This raises the question of child labor. Moreover, the child is filmed in his private environment, which gives some information about him: his name and age, and where he lives. Thus, it is difficult for him to make a difference between the image he gives of himself on YouTube and his true identity. Finally, does the child agrees to be filmed or photographed? What is the true free will and consent of children regarding social media?

All of these cases lift up the question of the protection of children on the internet. Apart from the omnipresent dangers on the internet, a question is raised: how far this voyeurism will be pushed?

We recommend you to read this article about Raising Kids In The Digital World to learn more.