In wake of Ruby Franke abuse case, Utah adds protections for children of social media influencers

A groundbreaking Utah law has been enacted to safeguard the welfare of children featured in online content created by their parents. This law provides children with the ability to have media content removed from the internet in which they are portrayed and mandates that parents allocate funds for their children who are utilized in online content. The impetus behind this legislation stemmed from the child abuse conviction of Ruby Franke, a mother of six who garnered a massive following on YouTube before her arrest on child abuse charges in 2023. Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed the law in response to the urging of Franke’s ex-husband, Kevin Franke.

Kevin Franke, during a testimony to lawmakers in February, expressed deep regret for allowing his ex-wife to exploit their children for online content and profit. He emphasized that children are incapable of providing informed consent to be filmed and shared on social media platforms. The Frankes initially gained fame through their now-defunct YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” where they showcased their daily lives as a close-knit Mormon family in Springville, Utah. The state of Utah has become a hub for family blogging due to its large nuclear families and religious communities.

The online content creation industry has been largely unregulated, but several states, including Illinois, California, and Minnesota, have implemented laws to safeguard the earnings of young creators. Utah’s new law also allows for the removal of content featuring minors from the internet, offering additional protection to children involved in online content creation.

Son’s Escape Triggers Investigation

The Franke children were prominently featured in their mother’s videos, which amassed a viewership of 2.5 million. However, a harrowing incident unfolded when Ruby Franke’s emaciated 12-year-old son, Russell, managed to escape from their home and seek help from neighbors. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Ruby Franke and therapist Jodi Hildebrandt on child abuse charges. Shocking details emerged, including the discovery of 9-year-old Eve, the youngest Franke child, confined in a dark closet with her hair shaved off.

The abuse inflicted on the children was deemed to be motivated by religious extremism, with the perpetrators justifying their actions as necessary for the children’s spiritual well-being. Ruby Franke’s journal entries revealed a pattern of severe abuse, including starvation, physical punishment, and forced labor in extreme conditions.

Repercussions of Exploitation

Shari, the eldest child of the Franke family, recounted in a memoir how her mother’s relentless pursuit of online fame led to the neglect and mistreatment of her children. Under the new Utah law, online creators earning more than $150,000 annually from content featuring children are mandated to set aside 15% of those earnings into a trust fund for the children’s future use. This legislation aims to protect the financial interests of children exploited for online content.

The Franke family has distanced themselves from Ruby Franke’s actions, with her siblings and parents expressing shock and disbelief at the extent of the abuse. Kevin Franke, who divorced Ruby following her arrest, has sought to regain custody of his children and has been vocal in supporting legislative measures to prevent the exploitation of children in online content creation.

Eve Franke, the youngest child who endured severe abuse, implored lawmakers to take action to prevent the exploitation of children in online content creation. She emphasized the importance of children being cherished and protected rather than being used for financial gain.