"KidFluencer" Social Media Accounts Reveal Dark Side of Instagram, Social Media

A recent investigation by The New York Times reveals a troubling narrative of social media's impact on childhood, especially for girls. Around one-third of preteens aspire to be influencers, yet experts warn of social media's detrimental effects, such as fostering negative self-perception and objectification.

While Instagram does prohibit children under 13 from having accounts, The Times found a number of parents who disregard the guideline, and instead encourage and manage accounts for their children. While the intention by parents and children is to boost a child's modeling career or gain favor from brands, there are more factors to consider. These accounts often attract adult men openly admitting attraction to children.

Despite some potential knowledge of this, parents may be driven by profits to continue managing a child's public social media account. Child influencers can earn six-figure incomes from monthly subscriptions and other interactions with followers. Some revenue is often related to parents' offering the sale of photos, exclusive chat sessions and even the girls’ worn clothing.

The revelations in this investigation underscore the darker aspects of social media and need for greater awareness/protection against its harmful effects.

Read more:

• Five Takeaways From The Times’s Investigation Into Child Influencers
  Mothers are running Instagram accounts for underage girls aspiring to stardom. Many encounter a dark underworld dominated by men, including pedophiles.
• A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men
  Seeking social media stardom for their underage daughters, mothers post images of them on Instagram. The accounts draw men sexually attracted to children, and they sometimes pay to see more.
• The Dangers of Parents Sharing their Children’s Lives on Social Media
  A new investigation looks at the disturbing world of so-called "kidfluencers" and the moms who run their accounts. One in three preteens say being an influencer is a career goal, but the reality poses serious risks to underage girls.