- Shari Franke has opened up about her traumatic childhood.
- She grew up under surveillance for her mother’s YouTube channel.
- Her mother has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
During her testimony to U.S. lawmakers, Shari said, “I don’t come today as the daughter of a felon, nor a victim of an abnormally abusive mother. I come today as a victim of family vlogging.” She criticized the practice of posting children’s lives online for money and fame, stating, “It is more than just filming your family life... It is a full-time job.”
Shari explained that, like many child influencers, she was paid for her participation. “This money was usually a bribe,” she revealed. “For example, we would be rewarded a $100 or a shopping trip if we filmed an embarrassing moment.” She reflected on the lasting impact of these experiences, asking, “What price is worth giving up your childhood?”
“If I could go back and do it all again, I’d rather have an empty bank account now and not have my childhood plastered all over the internet,” she shared, emphasizing that no amount of money could justify what she went through.
Shari aims to raise awareness about the exploitation of children in family vlogging. Ruby Franke’s channel, which included parenting tips with Jodi Hildebrandt, has been linked to abusive practices. Reports indicate that Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped to a neighbor’s house, pleading for help. The neighbor described him as “malnourished,” with severe injuries from being restrained.
When authorities searched the home, they found a 10-year-old girl in a similar state. Both Ruby and Jodi pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and received 30-year prison sentences, shining a light on the dangers of family vlogging.
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