Family vlogs transform domestic life into a routine performance, blurring the lines between reality and entertainment. A 2023 study found that over 10% of children in the United States have been featured in family vlogs, highlighting the prevalence of minors’ involvement in this digital trend. When kids are the stars, are we watching artful documentaries, or are we witnessing unpaid, unprotected child labor and a public archive of moments they likely wish to keep private?
Family vlogs intentionally adopt an informal approach, transforming daily conflicts and emotions into content curated for viewers. These moments, though appearing authentic, are often staged and edited for engagement and revenue. This ‘performed authenticity’ blurs the line between art and exploitation, departing from documentary ethics that value truthful representation. The central issue is that this model often exploits minors who cannot meaningfully consent or access fair compensation, unlike protected child actors. The creative style of vlogs is inseparable from ethical dilemmas, it turns children into profit-making materials without protection.
Family vlogging typically employs a documentary style with private moments and drama worthy content, yet it often includes routine segments such as ‘morning routines’ or ‘first day of school.’ Little about it is truly raw; it’s designed and structured to present a certain version of the family. It’s also a business model that focuses on surprise reveals, catchy titles, and edits that steer how we see them. Parents learn what gets traction and repeat it. This can mean filming meltdowns, turning private moments into stories, or nudging kids to redo a scene. Framing does a significant amount of the work, and the setup often pushes toward oversharing and a loss of privacy. A recent case that highlights where the culture can go wrong is the “8 Passengers” case, where former YouTube mom Ruby Franke was convicted and sentenced in 2024, creating debate about “sharenting” and the ethics of profiting from children’s lives online. (Hildebrandt, 2023) The children themselves usually have little say in what gets posted; this is where a creative practice starts to run into a legal and ethical gap.
In film and television, child performers are recognized as employees, they receive pay, have regulated hours, and are protected by adults who ensure their well-being and earnings. Family vlogging, however, operates in a different world. Children appear on camera, sometimes even acting and working much like TV actors, but often without pay or protection, while parents profit from their exposure.
Firstly, the role of money becomes significant as channels grow and brand deals are established. On movie sets, money for kids goes into a protected account; on the internet, this is less consistent.
Next, there is the struggle with time and pressure. There are no guaranteed breaks or set hours for these children. Family vlogging typically involves daily videos, as that’s what keeps fans engaged, and daily life is often turned into content. Kids often adjust their behavior on camera, and it can be overwhelming, especially when anticipating they will be on camera each day. Anxiety grows and the relationship of the parent and child are at risk.
Privacy is another major concern for these children. A child’s simple claim, “this is me,” their name, face, and reputation can conflict with a parent who is also the producer. People take things in many ways online and the lack of control the child gets is a problem. There’s no reliable way to fully take something off the internet, as many people save and repost videos, which can cause family and legal issues in the long run.
At home, the parent is also the director, editor, and deals with the finances. This is a conflict in itself, as videos will be made that may not be best for the child. Without an advocate who is on the outside, not trying to get something out of their children, much can be taken away from the child. The risks are high, and with full control over revenue and the family’s online reputation based on creative choices, there is a pressure to chase after big reactions and have little control over what remains on the internet.
Family vlogs can feel warm and engaging, and may even help document family history when children can voice their opinions. However, daily posting and clickbait turn private moments into stories and may jeopardize children’s futures. When parents continuously direct their children to entertain viewers, children can become the central focus of the business, blurring the line between family and work.
Family vlogging is a form of creative work that involves editing everyday life stories to make people see and feel relatable or inspired. The problem is that the success of the vlog is based on the child and how they perform to keep people watching. These successes completely put aspects of the child’s life at risk, such as finances, privacy, pressure, and permanent videos on the internet. Parents can agree to this, but children do not have a real say in what sticks to them later, at school, with friends, in relationships, or at work. Lack of consent is one of the biggest issues that carries over into life due to their performance on the internet. Money is also what complicates things further. Views and videos control the bills; unfortunately, what is best for the kid can often get overlooked, as drama and disclosure are encouraged and further amplified. Of course, the attention, direct messages, and praise can go to the creators’ heads, and the child is treated like a character. The craft isn’t the problem on its own, but the structure that is in place and who ends up lacking the power.
Many aspects of family vlogging need to change. If a child is going to consent to be part of the vlog and appear in daily videos, they should be treated like a real employee. There should be a guarantee of trust, and payouts should be made to the child as they get older. Platforms should require proof of trust for minors who appear on channels regularly and time is extremely important. There should be limits on work hours, when it is okay to film and when it is not. It can be overwhelming and stressful for a child. Platforms must require blurring of their faces unless the child consents, and they should have the ability to speak up if they want something taken down. Finally, having a neutral adult in the loop, especially with income and content posted, is crucial to ensure everything is fair.
The bottom line is family vlogging does work. It is a great way to turn everyday life into a story. The incentives and those who lack the power around it are the problem, not the camera. If basic protections are put in place, there is a way to make the child less like a product and able to have a voice.
Starting next year, child influencers can sue if earnings aren’t set aside, says new Illinois law. (2023). Unknown Journal.
Hildebrandt, Jodi (2023). Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to abusing children with YouTube mom Ruby Franke. Unknown Journal.
