Kevin Franke, the estranged husband of former family vlogger Ruby Franke, appeared in court recently to express his regret about filming his children and sharing their lives on social media. Kevin is advocating for HB322, a proposed bill that would mandate creators to set aside 15% of their income for their children if they earn over $150,000 annually from their online content. He also presented statements from two of his children in support of the bill. Kevin acknowledged the negative impact that vlogging had on his family, especially after his wife Ruby was sentenced to 4 to 60 years in prison for child abuse in 2024.
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The Franke family started documenting their lives with their six children on their now-deleted YouTube channel, 8Passengers, in 2015, showcasing their strict parenting style. This led to an investigation in 2020 due to concerns raised by viewers. Ruby Franke subsequently stopped posting on 8Passengers and joined her former business partner and therapist Jodi Hildebrandt on a podcast. In 2023, both Ruby and Hildebrandt were arrested, but Kevin was not charged with any crimes. Kevin, who had filed for divorce from Ruby in November 2023, testified before the Legislature to advocate for the protection of children in similar situations. The committee unanimously passed the bill, which aims to safeguard children financially and allow them to request the removal of content they appeared in as minors.
During the hearing, Kevin read statements from his daughters, aged 11 and 16, expressing their support for the bill. The elder daughter highlighted the lack of informed consent for children being filmed on social media and emphasised the importance of children being compensated for their work. The younger daughter hoped the bill would make children in Utah safer, revealing the lasting trauma she experiences from being part of a YouTube family. The family’s story will be further explored in the upcoming Hulu docuseries “Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke,” where Kevin and two of his children will discuss their experiences with public exposure and share unseen footage from their YouTube channel.
In a bid to raise awareness about the consequences of sharing one’s life online, Shari Franke, one of the Franke children, has penned a memoir titled “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom.” She recently expressed her belief that there is no ethical way to expose one’s life on the internet after witnessing the detrimental effects firsthand. Following Ruby’s arrest and conviction, Shari has decided to step back from sharing her personal life with the public. The Franke family’s journey serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of family vlogging and the importance of protecting children in the digital age.
As the Franke family continues to navigate the aftermath of their public exposure, their story sheds light on the complexities of online fame and the need for regulations to safeguard the well-being of children in the realm of social media. Kevin Franke’s advocacy for child protection legislation underscores the significance of ensuring that children’s rights and privacy are prioritised in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The upcoming docuseries and Shari Franke’s memoir offer a deeper insight into the challenges faced by families thrust into the spotlight and prompt reflection on the ethical considerations surrounding sharing personal lives online.