The New York Times Reveals the Predatory World of Child Influencers
Seeking online stardom for their daughters, many mothers create Instagram profiles for them. The parent-run accounts can descend into a dark underworld dominated by men who admit on other platforms to being pedophiles, a New York Times investigation found. https://t.co/As0ZRNZRGt
- The New York Times (@nytimes) February 23, 2024
The New York Times released an investigation of child influencers (just typing that term is barf) this week. It revealed a dark and disturbing realm adult men leave sexualized comments on pictures of children -- pictures often posted by the child's own parents.
The NYT analyzed more than 2 million Instagram posts and found incredibly damning evidence that influencer parents know about pedophiles following their children, but do not care because they are raking in six-plus figures.
(content warning!)
- Many of the men who comment on kid influencers' social media accounts openly admit on their own social media to being sexually attracted to children.
- Some parents sell their children's used leotards and cheerleading uniforms as well as pictures of their children wearing bathing suits and other revealing clothing.
- Commenters regularly send threats of violence, stalking, or sexual assault to influencer parents and their children.
- One mom of a child influencer even says, "“I think they’re all pedophiles," but continues to post to her daughter's Instagram account, which has 100,000 followers.
- There are many instances of parents of child influencers being arrested for child exploitation.
- Instagram really doesn't do anything to remove images of children in skimpy clothing.
- The more men follow a child, the better brand deal$ the parent$ can get.
So. Here's a depressing post for a Monday. Post a cute gif in the comments?
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