The LaBrant family, known for their prominent online presence, recently made headlines after their Nashville home was briefly listed for sale. The property was put on the market on April 13, just two days after the Tennessee State Legislature enacted a child labour law that impacts how influencers feature minors in online content. However, by April 15, the listing was removed, leading to speculation regarding the motivation behind the sale.
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Social media users and various media outlets quickly connected the dots between the new legislation and the timing of the home sale. The recently passed law mandates compensation for children featured in online content, leading some to wonder whether the LaBrants were considering a move to circumvent these regulations.
Cole LaBrant, 29, took to TikTok to address these assumptions directly. In a candid video, he expressed his frustration with the attention the sale had garnered, stating, “Whenever lies are being said about you and your family, I feel like one of the best things that you can do is tell the truth, state the facts and set the story straight.” He highlighted that their children, all five of whom regularly appear in their videos, have had bank accounts and have been compensated for their online contributions since the very beginning of their content creation journey.
Cole clarified that the family had no intention of leaving Tennessee in light of the new law. “We love Tennessee. We love our city, we love our friends, we love our community. We are moving, actually, right down the street, just to get more land, to be on more acres,” he indicated during the TikTok video. This announcement aimed to dispel any doubts about the family’s commitment to their current home and neighbourhood.
Despite the removal of the listing, no official reasons were provided by the LaBrants as to why they decided to take their property off the market. Attempts to obtain comments from the family were unsuccessful. Their home has served as the backdrop for many of the family’s online videos, which feature their children, including Beckham Blue, 1, Zealand Cole, 5, Sunday Savannah, 3, Posie Rayne, 7, and Everleigh Rose, 13, who Savannah shares with her late ex.
The newly implemented child labour law in Tennessee has raised eyebrows among content creators. It stipulates that a portion of the earnings made from videos featuring minors aged 14 to 18 must be placed in a trust account for the child’s benefit. Additionally, children in this age group are entitled to all of the proceeds generated from their own contributions, while those below 14 face stricter limitations on profit-making.
Everleigh, the eldest of the LaBrant children, has carved out her own niche with a substantial Instagram following of nearly 5 million, while her parents boast millions of followers across their social media accounts. Their YouTube channel, @ColeandSav, has accumulated 12.7 million subscribers since its inception in 2015.
The LaBrant family’s roots trace back to California, where they lived until 2023. In a YouTube video released in May of that year, the couple shared that their move to Tennessee was motivated by a desire to be closer to family and to embrace a slower lifestyle.
As discussions about child protection in the digital age continue, the LaBrant family’s situation serves as a pertinent example of the complexities influencers face regarding the treatment of children in online content. By addressing these concerns head-on and affirming their commitment to their children’s welfare, the LaBrants seek to navigate this new landscape while continuing to produce engaging family content that resonates with millions.
This incident underscores the evolving nature of social media and the legal frameworks surrounding it – a topic likely to remain at the forefront of conversations for both influencers and lawmakers alike.