Latest news with #TheHouseofMyMother
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
States are cracking down on mommy bloggers. It's about time.
I'm not a mom, but that doesn't stop TikTok and Instagram from thinking I am, or at least assuming I'm interested in what moms are doing. I scroll past a day in the life of a wealthy stay-at-home mom in New York City shuttling kids around Manhattan or moms of multiples corralling triplets into matching outfits and then into car seats in minivans — cribs, bottles, onesies, all in threes. Parents hold newborns up to the camera; the babies are captivated by their own image in selfie mode, staring with big, glassy eyes as their moms talk to their followers. Family and child influencers, which grew from the original online network of mommy bloggers in the 2000s, are constantly finding their way onto For You pages. The influencer economy is worth $250 billion, and parent and child influencers claim a sizable slice of that pie. Top earners like Ryan's World — the channel of a YouTuber who rose to fame at age 3 unboxing toys on camera — have raked in as much as $35 million a year. In a 2023 Morning Consult survey, 57% of Gen Z respondents said they wanted to be influencers. The trend of kids playing influencer has gotten so unwieldy over the past two decades that lawmakers across the country are stepping in and attempting to regulate it. The trend started in 2023, and since, California, Utah, Minnesota, and Illinois have passed laws that mandate kids receive compensation in a trust if they appear in about one-third of someone's monetized content or if the poster hits a certain income threshold from their content. Some give the children the right to demand the content be deleted when they become adults. Half a dozen or so more states are drafting their own bills. It's a move that recognizes content creation as labor and not amateur home videos capturing kids being kids. The laws are bolstered by the most heinous examples of parents abusing the children they force to perform in monetized videos. Shari Franke's recently published memoir, "The House of My Mother," is a look inside one of the most insidious cases of a parent exploiting children in a drive for online fame, one that involved abuse and the introduction of an abusive life coach into their family in Utah (her mother, Ruby Franke, is serving prison time for four counts of aggravated child abuse). Their family's story became a major driving force behind the Utah law, which is set to take effect in May. Some parents have sold photos of their children in revealing outfits to men online, running Instagram accounts for their young daughters. A new Netflix docuseries, "Bad Influence," alleges that the "momager" Tiffany Smith became verbally and physically abusive and forced preteens to work alongside her daughter for long hours to create YouTube content. (Some of the other former stars involved in the content settled a $1.85 million lawsuit with Smith last year. Smith's daughter, Piper Rockelle, has denied the claims that her mother was abusive, and Smith said the docuseries showed a "false narrative.") For all the good intentions the laws bring, they lack teeth. There's no enforcing body, critics say: The kid-fluencers would need to first know the laws exist and then have the resources to sue for their money once they turn 18 if their parents didn't set up trusts. The laws require people to keep records of the content they created, compensation received, and what they deposited into accounts for their children. Even if there's recourse to sue your parents, it's likely to make coming home for the holidays more than awkward, and grown children of influencers may take these steps only in the most extreme circumstances. Even as the trend shows lawmakers want to do something about child influencers, they largely don't address questions about whether children can or should consent to spending hours in front of a ring light or unboxing toys. "It's so tricky because on the one hand, these children are engaged in labor and deserve to be compensated for their labor," Sara Petersen, the author of "Momfluenced," tells me in an email. "But on the other hand, should these children be engaged in such labor?" Petersen says the laws could normalize child labor and pave the way for children to be seen as employees of their parents, which could lead to more harm. As natural as influencing may look to the viewer, Petersen says, it's really "the performance of a self," which blurs the line between public and private aspects of life, even for adults. "I don't think children are capable of the kind of psychological compartmentalization necessary in professional influencing, nor do I think they should be asked to be," she adds. Work is kind of everywhere and nowhere. Anybody with a device has already been experiencing that since the era of the smartphone. Hilary C. Robinson, a professor of law and sociology at Northeastern University Illinois was the first to pass such a law, which took effect in July, quickly followed by California. They take similar approaches: Content creators must set aside portions of earnings from content in which children appear and put it into a trust for when the kids turn 18. They're modeled largely on the Coogan Law, which mandates child actors' employers keep 15% of the kids' income in a trust their parents can't touch (some of the state laws use this 15% figure, while others require more income to be set aside). Utah passed its own law in March, which stipulates children receive pay for the time they're featured if the accounts rake in more than $150,000 in a year. Utah has been a hub for mom influencers and tradwives. Women there, many of whom are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, show an idealistic version of home life and traditional gender norms, sometimes as a way to subtly evangelize their faith online, but also to monetize their roles as homemakers. Now the state is pivoting toward regulating how children use and are seen on the internet — both with the new kid-fluencer protections and with a new ban on smartphones and smartwatches in schools. The biggest swing among the laws comes from Minnesota, where children under the age of 14 won't be able to "work" in content come July. The new law there defines working as appearing in more than 30% of compensated content; if parents break this rule, children are entitled to sue for all the money made from the content. Those 14 and older who make their own content get to keep all the money under the law. The feasibility of the laws will be put to test in the courts if children grow up and do bring lawsuits, but Allison Fitzpatrick, a partner at the New York law firm Davis+Gilbert who represents brands that hire influencers, says "parents better start following these laws," adding: "At some point, their child can sue them if they do not take these steps." Influencing has ballooned in the past decade and become a way to get work outside the traditional market. Before the last century, children always worked — first in agriculture or as apprentices to family businesses, and then in factories. Then we decided as a society that they shouldn't be clocking in and out. Aside from carve-outs for child actors, some top-tier athletes, and after-school gigs, the US mostly outlawed child labor. But in recent years, there's been a rise in states attempting to roll back some child labor regulations, and child labor violations have jumped. The proliferation of family influencers created a harder industry to regulate because so much of it takes place at home, in cars, or during daily life. "You went to the factory, you went to the coal mine, and you got the kids out of there," Hilary C. Robinson, a professor of law and sociology at Northeastern University, says of past child labor crises. Now "work is kind of everywhere and nowhere," she says, adding: "Anybody with a device has already been experiencing that since the era of the smartphone." There are shocking stories of exploitation, but most families don't have anything close to a horror story unfolding out of frame. There are kids and teens who want to express themselves online and have broken through, connecting to their peers in huge ways. There are others pushed by their parents to do so. "It is difficult for any brand, or for any agency, to really understand what goes on in the four walls of a family home," says Nick Walters, the president of SuperAwesome, a firm that represents brands and child influencers. Walters says his firm stays in close contact with families and will sever ties with those who don't put children's best interests first, perhaps by prioritizing content creation over schoolwork. He says he largely doesn't see the regulations as a hit to the influencer business: "Sensible, common-sense regulation that recognizes that young people are going to be in these spaces, and make sure they are dealt with fairly and responsibly and in a way that is in their best interest — we are a huge supporter of that." Even as more people question whether and how children, or even themselves, should appear online, there's a massive demand for family vlogging content. People simply can't look away. "I don't see these laws stopping the momentum that has taken place in the industry with respect to child influencers," Fitzpatrick says. Some of the viewers are fans, but some are rage-watching. After several big-name influencer families moved out of California in quick succession, viral rumors circulated on social media that they were fleeing to avoid the state's new law in February. It was largely a hoax, Rolling Stone reported at the time; some influencer families had left California but did so for personal reasons. "TikTokers' outrage at parenting influencers isn't actually about protecting children or ethics in content creation, it's about pushing a moral panic for clicks and views — ironically the exact thing that they criticize influencers for," the tech journalist Taylor Lorenz wrote recently in her newsletter, User Mag. All this regulation is focused on the concept that influencing is labor and the kids doing the work deserve a slice of the pie. There are still questions for all of us to answer about how children appear online, and what can be done to protect their privacy. In Europe, there are stronger protections, like the "right to be forgotten," that allow people to demand their images and data be removed from platforms (France passed a child influencer law in 2020, becoming a global pioneer in regulating the hours kid-fluencers worked and what happened to their compensation and enshrining a right for them to demand the deletion of videos they appear in). For now, most Americans don't have those privacy luxuries against Big Tech. These laws are one of the first steps in recognizing that people are going to post. If they're lucky enough to strike gold, at least the kids propelling them to the top will see a cut. Amanda Hoover is a senior correspondent at Business Insider covering the tech industry. She writes about the biggest tech companies and trends. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ruby Franke's Husband Asked Her to Stop Contacting Him From Prison
Originally appeared on E! Online Ruby Franke's husband is setting boundaries. A year after the YouTube family vlogger was sentenced to the minimum of four and maximum of 30 years in prison for four counts of aggravated child abuse alongside associate Jodi Hildebrandt, her estranged husband Kevin Franke shared where the couple—parents to six children—stand today. 'The last letter that I received from her from prison was maybe in March or April of last year,' Kevin—who married Ruby in 2000—told People in an interview published Feb. 25. 'And then I requested the Department of Corrections to ask her to stop writing me.' Kevin admitted, 'I didn't want to hear anymore. I didn't like what she was saying.' Although he wouldn't disclose the exact contents of his estranged wife's letters, Kevin detailed why he couldn't continue correspondence with her. 'I'm very angry,' he shared. 'I'm still very angry.' As noted of his wife's attempts to reach out, 'It just didn't feel right and it didn't feel good.' More from E! Online Boy Meets World's Will Friedle Says Ben Savage Still 'Won't Speak' to Costars Amid Estrangement Zoë Kravitz Breaks Silence on Channing Tatum Split Kylie Jenner Paying Hairstylist Jesus Guerrero's Funeral Costs After His Death at 34 Indeed, Kevin and Ruby are currently amid a divorce—with the father of six explaining that the couple are 'close' to reaching a settlement. And while he admits he still has 'love' for his wife, he cannot 'excuse' how she hurt their children, and him. 'There are some bridges that you just can't cross and then come back,' Kevin said. 'She burned the bridges so I'm moving on. And I'm going to do what's best for my children, for my family, and for myself, and that's not going to include her.' In the year since Ruby's sentencing, Kevin is not the only one close to Ruby to speak out. Her eldest daughter , 21, recently published a memoir, The House of My Mother, and has detailed her upbringing in an abusive household—particularly in the aftermath of Jodi moving in. "I could for sure feel a shift," Shari explained of Jodi's entering the picture in a Jan. 7 Good Morning America interview. 'It did become more psychological. And in a way, that was more damaging to me.' Following her February 2024 sentencing, Ruby expressed remorse for her actions, claiming her behavior stemmed from a 'dark delusion,' but her loved ones are understandably hesitant to forgive her. 'I don't think she'll ever fully comprehend or understand what she's done,' Shari told People Jan. 2. 'I just hope she can get the help that she needs.' For a thorough dive into Ruby's transgressions, keep reading… Aug. 30, 2023: Children Found MalnourishedAug. 30, 2023: ArrestAug. 31, 2023: Ruby's Daughter Speaks OutAug. 31, 2023: Ruby's Sisters React to ArrestSept. 6, 2023: Charges FiledSept. 6, 2023: Kevin Franke Breaks SilenceNov. 29, 2023: Kevin Files for DivorceDec. 18: Guilty PleasFeb. 20, 2024: Prison SentencingFeb. 20, 2024: Ruby ApologizesMarch 25, 2024: Ruby's Diary RevealedMarch 25, 2024: Kevin's Interview With Authorities Becomes Public For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Child-abusing mommy bloggers Ruby Franke and friend sued over alleged fraud scheme targeting parents
A Utah man claims he lost more than $1 million in earning potential after his spouse became enthralled with disgraced Utah parenting bloggers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt's bizarre and pricey online "counseling." Franke, a 43-year-old mother of six, and Hildebrandt, a 55-year-old mother of two, ran a joint parenting and lifestyle YouTube channel called ConneXions Classrooms before they were arrested and pleaded guilty to four of six counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse in a St. George courtroom in December 2023. "Franke, Hildebrandt, and others known and unknown have been engaging in a widespread racketeering enterprise in pursuit of power and profit through the advertisement, sale, and provision of fraudulent services and products designed to prey on vulnerable individuals, and encourage victims to perpetuate illegal acts onto others," a complaint states. Utah authorities filed charges against Franke and Hildebrandt in September after police rescued two of Franke's children, who were malnourished and neglected, from Hildebrandt's home Aug. 30. The abuse included forcing her children to do physical labor, restricting food, binding one child's hands and feet and emotional harm. Franke and Hildebrandt told Franke's children they were evil and needed to be punished. Mommy Blogger Ruby Franke Asked Daughter For One Thing Before Arrest: Memoir One of Hildebrandt's neighbors reported the abuse to police after Franke's 12-year-old showed up on his doorstep asking for help. He had escaped from Hildebrandt's multimillion-dollar house, where he was staying while his mother was away. Read On The Fox News App Prior to ConneXions Classrooms, Franke ran her own parenting vlog, or video blog, on social media called 8Passengers, representing herself, her husband and their six children. When her blog became the subject of scrutiny after fans began noticing cruel behavior toward her children, she joined Hildebrandt, and the pair became business partners. Mommy Blogger Ruby Franke's Husband Says 'Some Crazy S--t' Went On In Abuse Accomplice's $5.3M Fortress Michael Tillerman is the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed in federal court against Franke and Hildebrandt last month. The complaint describes their ConneXions Classrooms business as an "organized criminal enterprise." Tillerman said his former spouse "sought Hildebrandt for routine counseling." Youtube Mommy Blogger Ruby Franke, Co-host Jodi Hildebrandt Sentenced For Child Abuse: 'Dark Delusion' In dozens of YouTube videos and social media posts, Franke and Hildebrandt coached parents in calm voices from a living room couch on how to raise their children in "truth." In a video posted just before their arrests, Hildebrandt said pain can be a good thing for children of a certain age. Franke's oldest daughter, Shari Franke, described Hildebrandt and her inner circle as a "cult" in her new memoir, "The House of My Mother." Utah Police Discover 'Panic Room' Inside Abusive Mommy Blogger Accomplice's $5.3M Desert Home Hildebrandt and Franke advertised and sold "counseling services, classes, workshops, lessons, and digital and written materials" that cost anywhere from $20 to more than $10,000. Tillerman's lawsuit alleges these products were "fraudulent." For example, a "Team Leadership Training Program" that cost nearly $5,000 included "six team sessions, group trainings, podcasts, online trainers, phone call support, and pre- and post-assessment surveys." A "Company Leadership Training" that cost triple that at $14,985 included "six team sessions, six manager sessions, six company-wide sessions, eighteen group trainings, podcasts, access to online trainings, phone call support, and pre- and post-assessment surveys." Youtube Mommy Bloggers Arrested On Allegations Of Child Abuse: 'Finally' One-on-one training with Hildebrandt cost $181 per 50-minute session. Male and female "teams" sessions cost $300 per month with a minimum $900 commitment. Click Here For More True Crime From Fox News Defendants "prey on individuals in vulnerable positions who are seeking legitimate mental health services and indoctrinate members into the Enterprise — instructing her associates to perpetuate child abuse, child torture, and psychological abuse on any individual in their lives not deemed to be in what Hildebrandt has coined 'Truth,' i.e., aligning with Hildebrandt's will," the complaint states. Tillerman alleges his spouse "masterfully implemented" Hildebrandt's and Franke's "dark teachings to physically abuse and endanger the minor child" they shared. Click To Get The Fox News App Franke and Hildebrandt did not have attorneys listed in the federal lawsuit at the time of publication. They were both sentenced to serve four consecutive terms between a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of 60 years in prison after being found guilty of four counts each of second-degree aggravated child abuse each inflicted upon two of Franke's article source: Child-abusing mommy bloggers Ruby Franke and friend sued over alleged fraud scheme targeting parents
Fox News
08-02-2025
- Fox News
Child-abusing mommy bloggers Ruby Franke and friend sued over alleged fraud scheme targeting parents
A Utah man claims he lost more than $1 million in earning potential after his spouse became enthralled with disgraced Utah parenting bloggers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt's bizarre and pricey online "counseling." Franke, a 43-year-old mother of six, and Hildebrandt, a 55-year-old mother of two, ran a joint parenting and lifestyle YouTube channel called ConneXions Classrooms before they were arrested and pleaded guilty to four of six counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse in a St. George courtroom in December 2023. "Franke, Hildebrandt, and others known and unknown have been engaging in a widespread racketeering enterprise in pursuit of power and profit through the advertisement, sale, and provision of fraudulent services and products designed to prey on vulnerable individuals, and encourage victims to perpetuate illegal acts onto others," a complaint states. Utah authorities filed charges against Franke and Hildebrandt in September after police rescued two of Franke's children, who were malnourished and neglected, from Hildebrandt's home Aug. 30. The abuse included forcing her children to do physical labor, restricting food, binding one child's hands and feet and emotional harm. Franke and Hildebrandt told Franke's children they were evil and needed to be punished. One of Hildebrandt's neighbors reported the abuse to police after Franke's 12-year-old showed up on his doorstep asking for help. He had escaped from Hildebrandt's multimillion-dollar house, where he was staying while his mother was away. Prior to ConneXions Classrooms, Franke ran her own parenting vlog, or video blog, on social media called 8Passengers, representing herself, her husband and their six children. When her blog became the subject of scrutiny after fans began noticing cruel behavior toward her children, she joined Hildebrandt, and the pair became business partners. Michael Tillerman is the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed in federal court against Franke and Hildebrandt last month. The complaint describes their ConneXions Classrooms business as an "organized criminal enterprise." Tillerman said his former spouse "sought Hildebrandt for routine counseling." In dozens of YouTube videos and social media posts, Franke and Hildebrandt coached parents in calm voices from a living room couch on how to raise their children in "truth." In a video posted just before their arrests, Hildebrandt said pain can be a good thing for children of a certain age. Franke's oldest daughter, Shari Franke, described Hildebrandt and her inner circle as a "cult" in her new memoir, "The House of My Mother." Hildebrandt and Franke advertised and sold "counseling services, classes, workshops, lessons, and digital and written materials" that cost anywhere from $20 to more than $10,000. Tillerman's lawsuit alleges these products were "fraudulent." "Plaintiff has suffered at least $1,066,856 in lost earning potential as a result of the unlawful acts and fraudulent scheme of the Enterprise." For example, a "Team Leadership Training Program" that cost nearly $5,000 included "six team sessions, group trainings, podcasts, online trainers, phone call support, and pre- and post-assessment surveys." A "Company Leadership Training" that cost triple that at $14,985 included "six team sessions, six manager sessions, six company-wide sessions, eighteen group trainings, podcasts, access to online trainings, phone call support, and pre- and post-assessment surveys." One-on-one training with Hildebrandt cost $181 per 50-minute session. Male and female "teams" sessions cost $300 per month with a minimum $900 commitment. Defendants "prey on individuals in vulnerable positions who are seeking legitimate mental health services and indoctrinate members into the Enterprise — instructing her associates to perpetuate child abuse, child torture, and psychological abuse on any individual in their lives not deemed to be in what Hildebrandt has coined 'Truth,' i.e., aligning with Hildebrandt's will," the complaint states. Tillerman alleges his spouse "masterfully implemented" Hildebrandt's and Franke's "dark teachings to physically abuse and endanger the minor child" they shared. Franke and Hildebrandt did not have attorneys listed in the federal lawsuit at the time of publication. They were both sentenced to serve four consecutive terms between a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of 60 years in prison after being found guilty of four counts each of second-degree aggravated child abuse each inflicted upon two of Franke's children.
