In the era of social media, what impact does being 鈥榠nternet famous鈥� really have on kids?
The internet loves videos of cute kids. Case in point:听, who became viral sensations after Ellen DeGeneres invited them to sing on her show.
As the internet grows along with these kids, two researchers have raised the question: are these children being exploited?
Free labour or just a bit of fun?
from J枚nk枚ping University and 911爆料网 and from 911爆料网 are studying the outcomes of shared content between YouTube and TV programming.
Viral videos and social media are creating child stars and are then picked up as content on TV talk shows.
We鈥檝e all seen what a rough time child stars can end up having (hey there, Macaulay Culkin).
Crystal says that, although these types of videos are adorable and parents often just want to share their pride, the potential for exploitation starts after a video goes viral.
Cash me ousside howbow dah
The researchers use Danielle Bregoli as an example. Danielle, an 鈥渙ut-of-control鈥� teenager, was a guest on the听Dr. Phil听show last year. Although you鈥檇 hardly call her adorable, her听听and spawned the catchphrase 鈥溾��.
The 14-year-old now has 11.3 million followers on Instagram,听听and has just听. (This link comes with a warning for your ears.)
鈥淒anielle received a lot of flack for seeking attention on social media,鈥� Crystal says, 鈥渂ut we ignore the fact that the听Dr.听Phil听show also capitalised on her.
鈥淥rdinary children filmed this way are attractive because they are caught in usually funny, surprising or compromising situations and haven鈥檛 learned how to react well.鈥�
Of course, Danielle was invited back for a follow-up visit to the听Dr. Phil听show after her viral success.
鈥淭his is a classic case of a viral video creating a micro celebrity,鈥� Tama says.
Symbiotic or parasitic relationship?
Exploitation also occurs when programmes such as听The Ellen听DeGeneres听Show听find cute kids鈥� videos on YouTube. They invite them on the show and then share the footage on their own YouTube channel.
鈥淭his is a form of TV cannibalism,鈥� Tama says. 鈥淭hese videos provide free content for the programmes and often turn the children into social media influencers who then make money out of product endorsements.
鈥淓llen cannibalises the content by replaying and reposting it to her own social media channels.鈥�
The levels of exploitation can get much worse.
听is a YouTube channel where a married couple play pranks on their kids and make them cry. They film it and post it online.
鈥淚n the race for clicks and hits, they went too far,鈥� Tama says. 鈥淥ther YouTubers called them out. It鈥檚 nice to see there was a line drawn.鈥�
Crystal and Tama presented their research at the听听hosted by ECU.
This article was originally published on听. Read the听.
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