Family Vlogging's Dark Side Exposed in New Doc

Hulu's documentary 'Devil in the Family' offers a sensitive yet chilling look into the abuse perpetrated by Ruby Franke, the matriarch of the '8 Passengers' YouTube family. What appeared to be a picture-perfect life online was a facade for severe mistreatment of her children. The documentary utilizes behind-the-scenes footage to reveal the harsh punishments Ruby inflicted, shattering the illusion of influencer perfection and exposing the inherent exploitation within the family vlogging industry.

The film critically examines how the monetization of children's lives for social media can transform parenting into a means of control. It features direct testimony from Ruby's eldest children, Shari and Chad Franke, who candidly share their experiences with abuse. Kevin Franke, Ruby's ex-husband, also contributes, expressing shame for his inaction. Importantly, the documentary carefully obscures the identities of the younger children, avoiding the sensationalism often found in true crime narratives.

'Devil in the Family' not only details the Franke family's tragedy but also underscores the broader implications for child influencers. With states like New York enacting legislation to protect young performers, the documentary serves as a timely reminder of the ethical responsibilities involved in creating content featuring children. It urges viewers to question the true cost of family vlogging when children become pawns in a system driven by fame and profit.