SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has taken steps to better protect children featured in online content. This change comes after the high-profile case of Ruby Franke, a former YouTube star who faced serious charges. Franke was known for her parenting videos and had millions of followers before her arrest in 2023.
Governor Spencer Cox signed a new law aimed at helping children who are part of such content. This law allows minors to remove their digital footprints. Parents need to set aside funds for their kids that appear in their online content. Kevin Franke, Ruby’s ex-husband, urged lawmakers to pass this legislation, expressing regret over the impact of sharing their children’s lives online. “Children cannot consent to be filmed,” he emphasized.
The Franke family gained fame through their YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” created in 2015. Their videos showcased life as a large Mormon family in Utah, a state known for a thriving family blogging culture. The reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and the “MomTok” trend on TikTok further spotlighted this unique community of content creators.
As social media grows, so does the need for safeguards for young creators. In states like Illinois and Minnesota, laws enable children to sue parents for not securing their earnings. Utah’s law goes even further by allowing the removal of content featuring minors.
The story of the Franke family took a dark turn when one of their children escaped from home, prompting an investigation. Ruby Franke and her associate, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested after shocking details emerged. Reportedly, the 12-year-old boy escaped with duct tape on his ankles and sought help from a neighbor. Authorities later found his younger sister in distress, raising alarm bells about their safety.
In a memoir published following her mother’s arrest, Shari Franke revealed how her mother’s quest for views transformed her children’s lives. Shari described feeling more like a production assistant than a child, as her mother prioritized creating viral content over nurturing her family. This illustrates a troubling trend in family vlogging, where children’s well-being can become secondary to internet fame.
Under the new Utah law, content creators earning over $150,000 will need to put aside 15% of those earnings into a fund for their children, accessible once they turn 18. This change reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect minors in the digital age.
Interest in the Franke case has surged again with the release of a Hulu documentary titled “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.” As the legislature debated new protections, Kevin Franke read supportive statements from two of his daughters, revealing a heartfelt push for change.
Eve Franke, the youngest child, shared her thoughts on the importance of protecting kids from exploitation. She noted, "Kids deserve to be loved, not used by the ones that are supposed to love them the most." This statement encapsulates the urgent need for reform and compassion in content creation.
In summary, Utah’s new law represents a significant step toward safeguarding the rights of child creators. As the digital landscape evolves, so does the responsibility to ensure that children are treated with care and respect. For a deeper dive into this topic, you can read more about the legal implications for child content creators on NPR and the challenges of family vlogging on The New York Times.
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