TL;DR
The line between "sharing a cute milestone" and "exploiting a childhood for clicks" has officially blurred. With new 2025 laws in states like California and Illinois, the "kidfluencer" industry is finally facing some regulation regarding financial compensation and the "right to be forgotten."
If you're worried about your kid’s digital footprint or whether watching Ryan’s World is healthy, here are the quick takeaways:
- The Law is Catching Up: Kids featured in monetized content now have legal rights to a percentage of earnings (held in trust) and can request content removal once they turn 18.
- Privacy is the New Currency: Data brokers and AI scrapers are using "sharented" photos in ways we never intended.
- Media to Watch: Check out The Social Dilemma to understand the algorithm, or Eighth Grade for a raw look at growing up online.
- Next Step: Take our Digital Privacy Audit for Families
We’ve all been there. Your kid does something hilarious, or they look particularly sharp for school pictures, and your first instinct is to grab the phone. "Sharenting" is the term for when parents share an excessive amount of content about their children on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
It ranges from the "benign" (a first day of school photo) to the "professional" (family vlogging channels where every tantrum and doctor’s visit is scripted for ad revenue). By 2025, the average child has a digital footprint of thousands of photos before they even hit middle school—often without ever giving consent.
For years, the "Wild West" of YouTube family vlogging meant parents could film their kids 24/7, pocket the millions in brand deals, and leave the child with nothing but a parasocial relationship with five million strangers and a therapy bill.
As of 2026, the legal landscape has shifted significantly. Following the lead of the "Coogan Law" (which protected child actors in Hollywood), new legislation in Illinois and California now mandates:
- Trust Accounts: If a child appears in a certain percentage of monetized content, a portion of that gross revenue must be set aside in a trust for the child.
- The Right to Be Forgotten: Children of influencers now have the legal right to demand platforms like YouTube or TikTok delete content featuring them once they reach the age of majority.
- Labor Protections: There are now stricter "work hour" guidelines for kids whose "home life" is actually a film set.
Ask our chatbot about the specific kidfluencer laws in your state
Most parents think the risk of sharenting is just that their kid will be "embarrassed" when they’re 15. I wish it were that simple. In the age of AI and sophisticated data mining, the risks are much more concrete:
Digital Kidnapping and AI Scams
Identity thieves can use high-quality photos and videos of your kids to create "deepfake" identities or even use their voices (sampled from vlogs) to run "grandparent scams."
Data Brokers
Every "cute" post about your kid’s allergies, their school, or their favorite Roblox hobby is scraped by data brokers to build a consumer profile on your child before they’re even old enough to have a bank account.
The Parasocial Problem
When millions of people "know" your child’s name, their bedroom layout, and their favorite snack, it creates a massive safety vacuum. Family vloggers often inadvertently broadcast their location, their kids' school uniforms, and their daily routines to people who do not have the child's best interests at heart.
If you want to understand the impact of the "surveillance" lifestyle or help your kids understand why you're tightening the privacy screws, check out these titles:
Ages 10+ This 1998 classic is more relevant now than ever. It’s the ultimate "what if my whole life was a vlog" story. It’s a great conversation starter for kids about the ethics of filming someone without their knowledge.
Ages 12+ This Netflix documentary explains how platforms like TikTok are designed to keep us posting and scrolling. It helps parents realize that "sharenting" isn't just a choice; it's a behavior encouraged by an algorithm that rewards engagement over privacy.
Ages 14+ (Parents only or older teens) Directed by Bo Burnham, this movie captures the crushing anxiety of trying to curate a "perfect" online persona while feeling like a mess in real life. It’s a must-watch for parents who want to understand the pressure their kids feel to perform for the camera.
Ages 10+ A documentary specifically focused on the impact of screen time and social media on developing brains. It’s less "scary" and more "science-based."
Learn more about the best documentaries for digital wellness
Before you hit "post" on that video of your kid trying a "sour candy challenge" or doing a TikTok dance, run through this checklist:
- The "High School" Test: Would my child be comfortable with this video being played at their high school graduation or shown to a future employer?
- The Consent Ask: Even for toddlers, start asking, "I think this is a great photo, can I share it with Grandma on the phone?" or "Can I post this for my friends to see?" It builds the muscle of digital agency.
- The "Vulnerability" Rule: Never post photos of your child in a state of undress (even bathtime), in a state of emotional distress (tantrums are not content), or sharing private medical information.
- Metadata Check: Are your location services turned off? Does the photo show your house number or the name of your kid’s school?
There is a huge difference between a family that uses YouTube to document their travels and a family that stages "pranks" on their children for views.
Some channels, like Art for Kids Hub, feature the creator’s children in a way that feels healthy—they are learning a skill, the focus isn't on their private lives, and the "vibe" is one of genuine connection rather than performance.
However, "vlogging" as a career for a child is inherently risky. It turns a home into a workplace and a parent into a boss. If your kid is begging to be a "YouTuber," try steering them toward content where they aren't the face of the channel—like Minecraft tutorials or stop-motion animation using Scratch.
Check out our guide on how to help your kid start a YouTube channel safely
If your kids are older, they might actually be the ones "sharenting" you, or they might be upset that you've posted photos of them in the past.
- Acknowledge the Past: "I realized I posted a lot of photos of you when you were younger because I was proud of you, but I didn't ask your permission. From now on, I'll check with you first."
- Explain the 'Why': Don't just say "it's dangerous." Explain that their face is their "data" and they should have control over who gets to see it.
- Discuss the 'Fame' Trap: Kids see MrBeast or Charli D'Amelio and see only the money. Talk about the lack of privacy and the "always-on" nature of that lifestyle.
Ask our chatbot for a script to talk to your teen about their digital footprint
In 2026, being a "private" family is a radical act. You don't have to delete every photo you've ever posted, but you should be intentional about what you’re contributing to your child’s permanent digital record.
The goal isn't to hide from the world; it's to give your child the right to introduce themselves to the world on their own terms when they're ready.
- Audit Your Accounts: Go through your Instagram or Facebook and archive posts that feature your kids’ faces prominently or reveal private locations.
- Set Up a Trust: If your child is earning money from social media (even small amounts from a blog or TikTok), look into the legal requirements for a "Coogan Account" or similar trust in your state.
- Switch to Private Sharing: Use apps like Google Photos or FamilyAlbum that allow you to share photos with family members without putting them on a public social feed.
- Take the Screenwise Survey: Understand how your family’s sharing habits compare to your community and get a personalized privacy roadmap.