The Cost of a Childhood Online: A Look at Family Influencers

A new book by journalist Fortesa Latifi, Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online, examines the growing phenomenon of parents building monetized online content around their children. The work delves into critical questions about privacy, consent, and the blurring line between a child's private life and their work when their daily experiences become social media content.

The book explores the evolution from "mommy bloggers" writing about their own adult lives to today's "family influencers," whose content frequently centers on their children.

From Personal Blogs to Family Channels

The book traces this shift, noting that the mid-2000s era of "mommy bloggers" primarily featured parents writing personal reflections on their own experiences. The current model of family influencing coincided with the rise of visual smartphone media and the direct monetization of online popularity through advertising and sponsorships.

This visual, child-centric content has created uncharted territory for families navigating online fame. Latifi is described as finding aspects of this practice upsetting while acknowledging the complex situations families face.

The Influencer Reality: Dreams and Criticism

The book provides specific examples of this modern career path:

• Influencer Aubree Jones, who has over 4 million subscribers, posted a video with her family announcing their dog's pregnancy.
• Bethanie Garcia, who began blogging as a teen mom and now supports her family through influencing. Garcia calls the income "a dream come true" but has also been the subject of critical online communities, which she finds unsettling.

According to a 2023 survey cited in the book, 57% of Gen Z respondents expressed a desire to become influencers, highlighting the career's cultural appeal.

Unseen Labor and Broader Context

Like, Follow, Subscribe also explores the broader ecosystem supporting influencer content. It discusses the unseen labor—nannies, cleaners, and editing teams—who are typically not credited.

The book contextualizes parental choices within economic frameworks while maintaining a focus on the potential impacts on the children featured.

Additionally, it notes the prevalence of Mormon influencers and reports that some are paid by the Mormon church, describing their activity as a form of proselytizing.