We are raising children in a tough time. Because of the desire to become famous and make tons of money easily and without effort, parents are destroying the lives of their children, perhaps without even realizing it.
A family discovered—and ultimately accepted—the grim reality for young influencers on Instagram: The followers include large numbers of men who take sexual interest in children

What the hell is going on? I was shocked by reading this article. Not having children of my own, I am not well-informed about the safety of children online. However, it is very alarming to hear that mothers are aware of "creepy adult men" following their young children online and not taking any action.
One man, speaking about one of his favorite young influencers in a Telegram exchange captured by a child-safety activist, said that her mother knew “damn well” that many of her daughter’s followers were “pervy adult men.” Children, often with parental encouragement, have posed and performed for money for decades in beauty pageants, modeling gigs or acting spots. Predators have been there just as long, watching and participating.

Social-media platforms have helped level the playing field for parents seeking an audience for their children’s talents. Instagram, in particular, is visually driven and easily navigable, which also makes it appealing for child-focused brands.
this territory is moderated
Sometimes the mom spent two to four hours a day blocking users or deleting inappropriate comments.
Maybe that would be the point when you delete the fucking account?
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Yes, of course! But she was probably more interested in the "career" of her daughter as an influencer rather than her safety.
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Naw the money is too good
Talk about child exploitation.
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42 sats \ 2 replies \ @MB 16 Jun
WTF is wrong with these parents. Yes we live in a society where people thrive on likes and followers but they are effectively selling out their children, and the context they mention is horrific.
Personally I don’t put any pics on my kids online, they can choose when they are old enough if they want to share images of themselves but it has to be their choice.
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21 sats \ 1 reply \ @Taft OP 16 Jun
Personally I don’t put any pics on my kids online
That's a great choice! I would have done the same if I had kids.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @MB 16 Jun
I keep it simple, if you want to see my kids then you need to see them IRL not on a screen. It annoys some of the extended family but I don’t care
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The main rule I enforced with my kids was: No posting on social media accounts! None! No comments on YT videos, etc!
The speech I would give them was to try to imagine that 50 years in the future, things they posted as a 9 yr old was still going to be accessible...and it might be embarrassing to them.
Kids are born today have zero privacy from birth. Videos of them in diapers on youtube...and that will extend their whole life. In 2090 those same kids will be able to reconstruct the totality of their day-to-day life from available online data. Its honestly sort of depressing to me.....I do not think its particularly healthy to be able to re-watch a random video of your 15 yr old self from 50 years prior....not every thought, feeling, or action should be saved and linked to you forever.
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Teenage girls know exactly what they are doing. They are not innocent and naive
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Honestly, given it is so hard nowadays to make a living - I'm not surprised when I see young women trying to do everything to get known/come across fame. This isn't right, and I don't agree with it whatsoever - but it is the society we are in unfortunately.
If she is a young teenage girl, how does she get an account?
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I wonder how many of these parents really realize the danger these young influencers are in? And I am also speaking on a psychological level.
We are raising a generation of children who are addicted and intoxicated by social media, who no longer know how to interact in person, who do not appreciate the most common jobs because they no longer feel like struggling.
At least before social you were successful mainly because of some talent, a wonderful voice or being able to dance or act. Now a few dances on tik tok.... are enough.
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