Defending Children's Rights: Privy in Privacy

June 2, 2024

The emergence of picture- and video-sharing platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, in the new digital age has characterized shifting social norms and modes of communication and connection. Compared to the past, viewers have more access to pry into people’s lives and generally can retrieve vast amounts of information quickly. For parents and families, this means having greater access to diverse content on family planning and parenting. In response to this demand, family vlogging emerged at the beginning of the 2010s as a popular type of content creation, where families document their family lives through video blogs (otherwise known as ‘vlogs’). In family vlogs, parents typically film various aspects of their family life, including routines, activities, milestones, challenges, and special events. However, some family vlog channels focus on specific themes like travel, parenting advice, homeschooling, single parenting, co-parenting, etc.

Its increasing recent popularity relates to its ability to inspire, entertain, and relate to viewers. While this content may be beneficial for some audience members, it may also act as a supportive income stream for family vloggers. Parents and families can monetize their content on various social media platforms through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and advertising, among other revenue streams. Nonetheless, the rise of family vloggers on these platforms has sparked widespread interest and debate. Amidst its ability to empower and entertain, family vlogging raises concerns about the ethical implications of involving children in such online content. It also prompts apprehension regarding the compromise of information privacy, highlighting the nature of internet publication and where such data can remain for a lifetime and prove challenging to remove entirely. While examining both sides of the argument, it becomes evident that family vlogging has both its advantages to the social, digital, and creative world but simultaneously questions how we use people, particularly minors, as digital props and actors while violating their privacy rights.

From one perspective, the rise of family vlogging was beneficial because it allowed mothers to monetize their work from the home. For years, feminists and feminist theorists have acknowledged how many North American women assumed the expectation and responsibility to act as the stay-at-home parent during the child’s early upbringing, which typically upholds the responsibility of the father to provide a family income. As a result, many mothers remove themselves from the workforce to focus on parenting, which restricts their ability to contribute financially to the household and propel their own careers; however, with family vlogging, mothers could intertwine work and motherhood. 

Moreover, other arguments also favour its widespread fan base and support, encouraging family vlogging and similar content creation. Several family vloggers have garnered substantial followings, large platforms, high viewership count, and extensive engagement, consequently exerting a notable influence on media and culture and frequently earning the title of “influencers.” Family vlogging can empower people through representation by sharing content that relates to people experiencing similar situations. For example, some viewers may find comfort, inspiration, and awareness in content related to raising and parenting children with disabilities. Other channels have directed their efforts to bring attention to inclusivity and raising awareness, exploring topics like blended families, adoption, and co-parenting. 

Many researchers who have recognized the downsides of digital socialization have also highlighted several perceived positive benefits. Researchers have noted how social media platforms, such as Facebook, gain large audience members and influence because of their “sociability, information, a sense of belonging, social identity and support of non-hierarchical communication.” (Brosch, 2016, p.231) Social media platforms serve as digital arenas for interpersonal interactions, allowing users to connect with others regardless of geographical boundaries. Through features like comments, likes, and direct messaging features, individuals cultivate social relationships and networks, which fosters a vibrant and dynamic online community. 

Researchers Hampton and Wellman (2003) characterize this phenomenon as the fragmentation of communities into new virtual realities of shared interest (Matisi, 2021). They extend this idea by proposing that “internet utopias” have created a whole new form of community that digitally connects users, which also frees them from geographical and social constraints. When the real world can become strained by daily hardships, the virtual world can allow individuals to express themselves and develop comforting social relations. 

In addition, having access to these types of content can be educational. Family vlogging provides a platform for sharing diverse perspectives and approaches to parenting and family life. By showcasing different familial dynamics, traditions, and challenges, these vlogs foster understanding and empathy among viewers. They may offer advice, tips, and personal anecdotes on various lived experiences in the family unit. These details assist viewers in learning new parenting skills, techniques, and perspectives, which keeps them informed in decision-making and family planning. This exposure to various family structures and cultural practices raises awareness towards inclusivity and tolerance, encouraging viewers to embrace differences and celebrate diversity within their families and communities. Ultimately, the positive impact of family vlogging extends beyond entertainment, serving as a valuable resource for education, support, and community building.

However, the rise of family vlogging culture has also brought into focus questions surrounding children's right to privacy and safety and the impact of early exposure to technology on their development. While some social media platforms like YouTube prohibit children under the age of thirteen from having their own channels, they provide little protection for minors appearing on their parents' channels. As a result, parents have considerable discretion over what they choose to share and monetize in family vlogs, raising concerns about the exploitation of children on the Internet.

Family vlogging often involves sharing intimate moments of family life, such as personal conversations, emotions, and experiences, which can blur the lines between what is considered private and what is public. More specifically, children do not fully comprehend the consequences of having their lives broadcasted online. They lack the understanding of the long-term implications of sharing personal information with a potentially vast audience.

Defending children’s rights from limiting their exposure to the digital world and digital publishing is better understood from Information Ethics theory, which argues for ethical practices arising from the creation, dissemination, and use of information and communication technologies. Information Ethics theorists seek to ensure that information technologies are used in ways that respect individuals' privacy rights, promote justice, and contribute to the general common good. 

In family vlogging, parents take on the responsibility of constructing and managing their children's digital presence, which involves careful control over what is shared online and navigating privacy issues and ethical considerations related to their children's online footprint. An underlying issue is the problem of whether children can genuinely consent to their presence on social media platforms and the potential consequences of their digital footprint. Due to their limited capacity to provide informed consent regarding being filmed and having their lives exposed publicly, they lack agency in shaping their online presence. Instead, they risk being portrayed according to their parents' narrative or digital identity, essentially becoming unwitting participants in a reality show. Consequently, these children may eventually express dissatisfaction with the narrative their parents have projected onto them.

This process also brings to the forefront the ethical dilemma of relinquishing ownership rights of privacy once content is uploaded to the public domain since both children and parents inadvertently surrender their property rights to this digital portrayal once the content is shared (Lichtenstein et al., 2017). However, the difference lies in the fact that while adults’ consent to the terms and conditions of the platform when signing up for an account, thereby accepting the potential loss of autonomy over their content, children cannot provide such consent. As a result, children may find themselves stripped of their privacy rights without their control, further complicating the ethical implications of family vlogging. 

Moreover, these ideas were further elucidated by Internet Studies researcher, Tama Leaver through his conceptualization of “digital shadows.” He dedicates much of his studies to understanding online identities, infancy online, and media distribution. These shadows, as outlined by Leaver, represent external influences on digital content, operating independently of an individual's control (Lichtenstein et al., 2017). In this case, the external influences are the parents who shape the child’s digital identity without the child’s ability to control the narrative. Once the content is curated and uploaded online, the child becomes vulnerable to the whims of strangers and algorithms, their innocence commodified, and their digital footprint subject to scrutiny and exploitation. As children grow older and reach the age of assuming responsibility for their identities, they may find themselves confronted with the considerable impact exerted by these digital shadows, potentially overwhelming their sense of ownership and accountability for their online presence.

Children are vulnerable members of society and possess rights that should be safeguarded. This safeguarding is particularly crucial in digital spaces where they may be exposed to diverse forms of content and interaction. Among these rights is the fundamental entitlement to privacy, ensuring their personal information and experiences remain shielded from unwarranted exposure. Additionally, children have the right to protection from any potential harm that may arise from their online engagements, whether psychological, emotional, or physical. Furthermore, they should have access to information that aligns with their developmental stage, fostering healthy cognitive and emotional growth. 

The ethical quandary surrounding the posting of children's pictures and videos online persists as a pressing concern, particularly within family vlogging. As society grapples with the ethical implications of sharing intimate details about children's lives for mass entertainment, questions about privacy, consent, and exploitation loom large. While some argue that family vlogging can foster community, representation, and financial opportunities for parents, others raise valid concerns about the potential harms inflicted on children, both in the present and as they navigate their digital footprints into the future.

In conclusion, family vlogging is a multifaceted idea that intersects between modern media, parenting, and ethics. The current discourse surrounding family vlogging emphasizes the urgent need for further research and critical examination. While the practice has gained momentum and popularity, our understanding of its long-term effects on children still remains limited. As these young digital stars grow up, it will become essential to assess the impact of their early exposure to online fame and scrutiny on their development, relationships, and mental health. Moreover, as technology evolves, ongoing research will be vital in explaining the broader social implications of family vlogging and its effects on familial dynamics, media consumption patterns, and cultural norms.