For years I’ve known of Ruby and her RUclips channel and YEARS ago wondered how the hell something like this is allowed. It was horrific back then and NOW it’s just come to light? Scary so many followers and yet no questions into the protection of those children until this unfolds. Horrific!
No kidding? I heard on one of the commentary channels that a lot of people were following for years to monitor the wellbeing of the kids but I'm not sure how that helped ultimately.
I work in higher education and used to be a Research Ethics Administrator. Consent and the ability to withdraw it at any time is so important. Brava for continuing to check in with your friends and family 👏
Thank you so much for this video. It was wonderful to hear you reflect on this. As someone who is not a creator, I still feel the need to think carefully over these choices, since pretty much everyone has an internet presence these days. I don't know if you read about this, but last week on the BBC there was a troubling article about teenage boys in Spain using photos from teenage girls' social media account to create fake topless photos with AI technology. I thought I had my plans for how to introduce my own kids to social media all set up, but that news story is making me rethink everything. Your video helped me process how quickly things have changed, and reminded me how flexible we need to be, not just about what we are putting online now, but about what we put online in the past.
Thanks for this video Amanda!!! Totally relate with the discomfort of sharing my son's content online. I have been a hobby youtuber since the beginning of youtube and used to enjoy flow of making content before marriage and baby because it felt like I just posted whatever I felt like and it wasn't with the assumption that anyone was really going to see my content. Since having my son in particular, I've been stuck because on one hand motherhood is what I"m most inspired by at the moment however I feel weird about sharing him on my channel and so I might have once or twice but not since. I think the issue that I think about is how because my son is mixed race and mixed race content is SOOOOO POPULAR, I don't want to appear like I'm using him for views... anyway....for now, I just won't until or unless I see a path where it doesn't feel extractive.
I so agree with you. Regulations need to be in place to protect these kids. My own kids dabble in background acting and there are so many rules that have to be followed by the industry.
You did good with making this video amanda! ❤ honoust, transparant and important. As an outsider i am very black and white: My kids are not on the socials. No baby picture, nothing. But i can imagine that your journey on the internet is very different. But you reflect and ask the important questions. Kids until 16/18 years cannot consent truley i belive. They cannot oversee the effects of being on the socials. But... i also enjoyed your baby content back in the day! We are learning ourselfs about this topic. Love from Holland
Thanks for sharing. I definitely respect this decision. I will say, 16/18 might be a stretch for our family, only because socially tweens/teens start using their devices and accessing social media. We have rules in terms of accounts being private, and not accessible to the public but it's definitely giving me food for thought as to when I may allow this next phase of decision making for my kids.
Yes, i understand. I have not yet had the experience with tweens/teens. My oldest is 9 years. Here the Netherlands it is less of an issue i guess. We have rules about using the devices and laptops. The use of youtube makes me always kind of worried. There is some content... 😮
Her eldest daughter has been close with her aunts for years and has stated through her social media that they have all been reporting to CPS and the police for years. I understand the need to blame and point fingers. The guilty parties are those accused of the child abuse and the the CPS/police that ignored or failed to adequately investigate numerous reports for years. I appreciate your perspective on the family vlogging industry on youtube and the insights you offer on the ethics of video monetization when Vlogs involve children, reform is clearly needed. As for whether the extended family “deserves privacy” or bears any blame, I find it hard to believe that Ruby’s eldest daughter would nurture a close relationship with people actively ignoring or sabotaging her efforts to help her siblings.
Valid points. Thanks for sharing. Also, the part I need clarity on is how that particular state handles these kinds of allegations. It seems to vary so much throughout the US.
Like Amanda said, the public would benefit from receipts. I believe the family said they “did everything they could legally” but I have yet to see any proof of what it was. The neighbors have said they reported, yes, but not the family. IMO, it is a bold statement to say who the guilty parties are here.
I think that's it @laurahoyda it's so bold considering the allegations. What did they do exactly? How did they try to help? These are children that needed help and this went on for years, how?! There's something I'm missing here.
The fact that they had to state that they're "taking a break from regular content" is concerning. How about you take a permanent break after seeing what the exploitation of kids for money did to your own flesh and blood?
What I've always been curious about with family vloggers is why? What is one's motivation and reason for recording everything in their lives and their children's lives and then sharing with the world? It's one thing to capture moments and memories and keep them private for family viewing, like back in the good old days of 8 mm or vhs cameras, but why does one feel they need to share it? What does one hope to gain from it? Kids need to give consent when they are 18.
Valid question. I can't speak for everyone, but back when it first began it was a trend. People love their lives, and it feels nice to share. Not everything is for everyone though, I get it. Perhaps similar to any trend: why did everyone wear bellbottoms? Why do we livestream court cases? People are naturally curious but also want to be part of community, it's para-social relationships at their finest. I think like anything new though, there are downsides. We're seeing more and more reasons why this isn't the best thing to do for families.
All the posts Ruby made of limiting food to her kids is proof Ruby Doo has been insane for a while. Her inability to recognize that folks are gonna lose their minds and report her to child protective services is a strong sense of entitlement and superiority is mind boggling. Edit-OMG. Buffer Fest. Corey Vidal and friends. Do you remember Vlogumentary? I took a night off work to go to a little theater and see it on the big screen, ha. Memories....... speaking of kids who might want videos of them as children deleted.......the Shaytards. Brock or one of the kids was born and had a camera in his face at 2 minutes old or so. I watched Shaytards every day. I wanted to travel to their clothing store they opened at a mall. They are also LDS.
Ruby Franke posted this one story about publicly embarrassing her daughter by taking her daughter to Walmart wearing nothing but a t shirt and diaper and her daughter was like 5 at the time
I live in France and I am hoping the rest of the world follows in France’s footsteps of creating laws that protect children of social media influencers. It will protect the money they are garnering from their presence on social platforms. It also puts limits on the number of hours they can work and also allows minors to request to have videos featuring them taken down even without the authorization of the parents.
I loathe family vloggers and the utter ridiculous content they spew out. It’s not entertainment to see you put your children in “filmable” situations (letting your toddler cry amid of a pile of broken bowls) and not instantly react. Instead they pull out their phone to film & then console the child. Absolute filth.
And the fact that their main audience is often CHILDREN is another subject for discussion. My kids starting these mean spirited pranks a couple years back and then we realized that they were getting these ideas from an "innocent" family vlogging channel where it was normalized that the kids would cry after these pranks. Those channels have been banned ever since.
Prank channels are horrific. In fact, back when these started to come about there was a guy who was leading the pack for pranks and actually got arrested - back when they were actually pranks and not scripted BS. He faded away, but then a million other channels just like him started up and here we are now....ugh.
You did a great job! As for all the vlogs I watch. Is ended up going through the coals. I guess I liked the vlogs like that and I didn’t know it was bad. I have to look over my watching and delete because I don’t want to be part of them
Someone commented recently that as women, we love to see other mothers with their families and it feels nice to watch. I think it’s OK to have enjoyed this style of content, I have too. I love when babies are born, and witnessing new mothers step into their role. It’s wonderful, but also really tricky in the long term.
I’m going to speak a bit about the “Mormon” side of things. I was raised in the church. We are taught since birth it is the one and only true church, to share the gospel, and to be an example to others that aren’t members. I feel these mormon vloggers truly feel they are doing the Lord’s work. In fact, I’ve heard recently the church has sponsored some Mormon vloggers. It’s hard to tell any of them that family vlogging is wrong when they feel their God is on their side. Super frustrating!! Especially since, and I know first hand, abuse happens in the worst of ways!
This is fascinating. There is so much about the Mormon church that I don’t know, but I can see how it must play a huge role in all of this. I am rather obsessed with how religion often plays a role in many of these tragic stories.
I never watched her channel before, but I watch her sisters channel (Ellie and jarded) all is Kevin, ruby's husband needs to take full responsibility on what happened , separated or not!! You should know what's going on with your kids, so for him to say he had no idea what was going on is bull... I have no words for ruby actions, you can tell she is very weird/off... Also the siblings of ruby said that she cut them all off, but let me tell you I would find a way to see what my nieces and nephews are doing! No matter if I didn't speak to my sister, so I feel like they made excuses that they had no idea what was going on. Btw this story is very heartbreaking, you're not supposed to hurt kids, when you have them your supposed to love, care, and give them what they need.. she is a horrible human for taking away food, water and a BED! from her own kids!
The denial of food and a bed to sleep in is so disgusting. I saw that Bonnie released a video today. It's interesting to get a bit more background on what they did and how they were cut off. Very upsetting.
@@AmandaMuse she said she cut them all off 3 years ago, but I myself have a niece and nephew and if my sister cut me off I would still find a way to be in their life and see what they are up to. And reported any sign of abuse the first time I seen it! I truly hope Kevin has some kind of responsibility to this as well..
I think it's easier said than done. I have extended family who cut off certain family members and you can't just pop into a child's life, it's very tricky.
I think you can show kids online, just as you can with mainstream media. I have so many questions about this situation and I find it so interesting. I’m really wondering if a culture of abuse was something embedded into this whole family. Maybe that’s why they have had no issue controlling and shaming their kids online…maybe it’s normal for them all. I’m 👀👀👀
Kids should not be content until able to give consent. I don’t mind showing them from time to time but their lives shouldn’t be the main content.
I hear you, thanks for sharing!
For years I’ve known of Ruby and her RUclips channel and YEARS ago wondered how the hell something like this is allowed. It was horrific back then and NOW it’s just come to light? Scary so many followers and yet no questions into the protection of those children until this unfolds. Horrific!
No kidding? I heard on one of the commentary channels that a lot of people were following for years to monitor the wellbeing of the kids but I'm not sure how that helped ultimately.
I work in higher education and used to be a Research Ethics Administrator. Consent and the ability to withdraw it at any time is so important. Brava for continuing to check in with your friends and family 👏
Yes! The “withdraw at any time” is so imp.
Thank you so much for this video. It was wonderful to hear you reflect on this. As someone who is not a creator, I still feel the need to think carefully over these choices, since pretty much everyone has an internet presence these days. I don't know if you read about this, but last week on the BBC there was a troubling article about teenage boys in Spain using photos from teenage girls' social media account to create fake topless photos with AI technology. I thought I had my plans for how to introduce my own kids to social media all set up, but that news story is making me rethink everything. Your video helped me process how quickly things have changed, and reminded me how flexible we need to be, not just about what we are putting online now, but about what we put online in the past.
Idk if you've looked into it more but that's been happening with photoshop for a long long time now
Thanks for this video Amanda!!! Totally relate with the discomfort of sharing my son's content online. I have been a hobby youtuber since the beginning of youtube and used to enjoy flow of making content before marriage and baby because it felt like I just posted whatever I felt like and it wasn't with the assumption that anyone was really going to see my content. Since having my son in particular, I've been stuck because on one hand motherhood is what I"m most inspired by at the moment however I feel weird about sharing him on my channel and so I might have once or twice but not since. I think the issue that I think about is how because my son is mixed race and mixed race content is SOOOOO POPULAR, I don't want to appear like I'm using him for views... anyway....for now, I just won't until or unless I see a path where it doesn't feel extractive.
Thank you for sharing!
she absolutely exploited her children, but the biggest issue with her is the actual abuse of her children
The allegations are horrific.
I so agree with you. Regulations need to be in place to protect these kids. My own kids dabble in background acting and there are so many rules that have to be followed by the industry.
Right? There are literally no rules, so it's up the discretion of the parents.
Thats pretty cool so are they like extras and stuff?
Also yes I think yt needs to Crack down on these family channels.
You did good with making this video amanda! ❤ honoust, transparant and important. As an outsider i am very black and white: My kids are not on the socials. No baby picture, nothing. But i can imagine that your journey on the internet is very different. But you reflect and ask the important questions. Kids until 16/18 years cannot consent truley i belive. They cannot oversee the effects of being on the socials. But... i also enjoyed your baby content back in the day! We are learning ourselfs about this topic. Love from Holland
Thanks for sharing. I definitely respect this decision. I will say, 16/18 might be a stretch for our family, only because socially tweens/teens start using their devices and accessing social media. We have rules in terms of accounts being private, and not accessible to the public but it's definitely giving me food for thought as to when I may allow this next phase of decision making for my kids.
Yes, i understand. I have not yet had the experience with tweens/teens. My oldest is 9 years. Here the Netherlands it is less of an issue i guess. We have rules about using the devices and laptops. The use of youtube makes me always kind of worried. There is some content... 😮
Her eldest daughter has been close with her aunts for years and has stated through her social media that they have all been reporting to CPS and the police for years. I understand the need to blame and point fingers. The guilty parties are those accused of the child abuse and the the CPS/police that ignored or failed to adequately investigate numerous reports for years. I appreciate your perspective on the family vlogging industry on youtube and the insights you offer on the ethics of video monetization when Vlogs involve children, reform is clearly needed. As for whether the extended family “deserves privacy” or bears any blame, I find it hard to believe that Ruby’s eldest daughter would nurture a close relationship with people actively ignoring or sabotaging her efforts to help her siblings.
Valid points. Thanks for sharing. Also, the part I need clarity on is how that particular state handles these kinds of allegations. It seems to vary so much throughout the US.
Like Amanda said, the public would benefit from receipts. I believe the family said they “did everything they could legally” but I have yet to see any proof of what it was. The neighbors have said they reported, yes, but not the family. IMO, it is a bold statement to say who the guilty parties are here.
I think that's it @laurahoyda it's so bold considering the allegations. What did they do exactly? How did they try to help? These are children that needed help and this went on for years, how?! There's something I'm missing here.
Yes there is something not right. Bonnie en julie's newest video's doesn't sit with me well.
The fact that they had to state that they're "taking a break from regular content" is concerning. How about you take a permanent break after seeing what the exploitation of kids for money did to your own flesh and blood?
What I've always been curious about with family vloggers is why?
What is one's motivation and reason for recording everything in their lives and their children's lives and then sharing with the world? It's one thing to capture moments and memories and keep them private for family viewing, like back in the good old days of 8 mm or vhs cameras, but why does one feel they need to share it?
What does one hope to gain from it?
Kids need to give consent when they are 18.
Valid question. I can't speak for everyone, but back when it first began it was a trend. People love their lives, and it feels nice to share. Not everything is for everyone though, I get it. Perhaps similar to any trend: why did everyone wear bellbottoms? Why do we livestream court cases? People are naturally curious but also want to be part of community, it's para-social relationships at their finest. I think like anything new though, there are downsides. We're seeing more and more reasons why this isn't the best thing to do for families.
One of my favorite channels, is "A Country Life" Wholesome family content.
Dancing around on Tic Tok with kids-not a good idea.
I enjoy good rants!!
All the posts Ruby made of limiting food to her kids is proof Ruby Doo has been insane for a while. Her inability to recognize that folks are gonna lose their minds and report her to child protective services is a strong sense of entitlement and superiority is mind boggling.
Edit-OMG. Buffer Fest. Corey Vidal and friends. Do you remember Vlogumentary? I took a night off work to go to a little theater and see it on the big screen, ha. Memories....... speaking of kids who might want videos of them as children deleted.......the Shaytards. Brock or one of the kids was born and had a camera in his face at 2 minutes old or so. I watched Shaytards every day. I wanted to travel to their clothing store they opened at a mall. They are also LDS.
It's so interesting how much we shared back then, and how much has changed. There's still room to be better, but at least we're talking about it now.
30 seconds in and we’re already on the same damn page, reading the same line.
Ruby Franke posted this one story about publicly embarrassing her daughter by taking her daughter to Walmart wearing nothing but a t shirt and diaper and her daughter was like 5 at the time
WHAT?! What a shame it took so long to get her for all her awful actions against her children.
Thank you Amanda!
I live in France and I am hoping the rest of the world follows in France’s footsteps of creating laws that protect children of social media influencers. It will protect the money they are garnering from their presence on social platforms. It also puts limits on the number of hours they can work and also allows minors to request to have videos featuring them taken down even without the authorization of the parents.
This is absolutely incredible!
I loathe family vloggers and the utter ridiculous content they spew out. It’s not entertainment to see you put your children in “filmable” situations (letting your toddler cry amid of a pile of broken bowls) and not instantly react. Instead they pull out their phone to film & then console the child.
Absolute filth.
I literally have a visceral reaction if/when I stumble onto this type of content.
And the fact that their main audience is often CHILDREN is another subject for discussion. My kids starting these mean spirited pranks a couple years back and then we realized that they were getting these ideas from an "innocent" family vlogging channel where it was normalized that the kids would cry after these pranks. Those channels have been banned ever since.
Prank channels are horrific. In fact, back when these started to come about there was a guy who was leading the pack for pranks and actually got arrested - back when they were actually pranks and not scripted BS. He faded away, but then a million other channels just like him started up and here we are now....ugh.
You did a great job! As for all the vlogs I watch. Is ended up going through the coals. I guess I liked the vlogs like that and I didn’t know it was bad. I have to look over my watching and delete because I don’t want to be part of them
Someone commented recently that as women, we love to see other mothers with their families and it feels nice to watch. I think it’s OK to have enjoyed this style of content, I have too. I love when babies are born, and witnessing new mothers step into their role. It’s wonderful, but also really tricky in the long term.
I’m going to speak a bit about the “Mormon” side of things.
I was raised in the church. We are taught since birth it is the one and only true church, to share the gospel, and to be an example to others that aren’t members.
I feel these mormon vloggers truly feel they are doing the Lord’s work. In fact, I’ve heard recently the church has sponsored some Mormon vloggers.
It’s hard to tell any of them that family vlogging is wrong when they feel their God is on their side.
Super frustrating!! Especially since, and I know first hand, abuse happens in the worst of ways!
This is fascinating. There is so much about the Mormon church that I don’t know, but I can see how it must play a huge role in all of this. I am rather obsessed with how religion often plays a role in many of these tragic stories.
I never watched her channel before, but I watch her sisters channel (Ellie and jarded) all is Kevin, ruby's husband needs to take full responsibility on what happened , separated or not!! You should know what's going on with your kids, so for him to say he had no idea what was going on is bull... I have no words for ruby actions, you can tell she is very weird/off...
Also the siblings of ruby said that she cut them all off, but let me tell you I would find a way to see what my nieces and nephews are doing! No matter if I didn't speak to my sister, so I feel like they made excuses that they had no idea what was going on.
Btw this story is very heartbreaking, you're not supposed to hurt kids, when you have them your supposed to love, care, and give them what they need.. she is a horrible human for taking away food, water and a BED! from her own kids!
The denial of food and a bed to sleep in is so disgusting. I saw that Bonnie released a video today. It's interesting to get a bit more background on what they did and how they were cut off. Very upsetting.
@@AmandaMuse she said she cut them all off 3 years ago, but I myself have a niece and nephew and if my sister cut me off I would still find a way to be in their life and see what they are up to. And reported any sign of abuse the first time I seen it! I truly hope Kevin has some kind of responsibility to this as well..
I think it's easier said than done. I have extended family who cut off certain family members and you can't just pop into a child's life, it's very tricky.
How have you been Amanda?
I think you can show kids online, just as you can with mainstream media.
I have so many questions about this situation and I find it so interesting. I’m really wondering if a culture of abuse was something embedded into this whole family. Maybe that’s why they have had no issue controlling and shaming their kids online…maybe it’s normal for them all. I’m 👀👀👀
SO many questions. I'm with you there!
Loved this!