A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a waiting room when a little girl, no older than seven, walked in with her mother. The child was cheerful, energetic and doing what most children do, asking questions, touching things she probably shouldn't and talking endlessly as kids would usually do.
Then her mother brought out a phone. Almost immediately, the atmosphere changed."Smile," the woman said. The little girl smiled.
"Smile well now."
She smiled again.
"No, not like that. Do it properly."
For the next few minutes, I watched the child transform from a playful kid into a performer. Every movement was directed. Every expression was corrected. Every action seemed designed for an audience that wasn't even present.
I don't know if that video ever made it to social media. Maybe it did. Maybe it didn't.
So, when I saw the prompt my mind went back to the event and the growing number of child influencers online. I've seen quite a number of them on Tiktok, well they all seem to enjoy it.
Some of these children have millions of followers. Some review toys. Some dance. Some act in skits. Others document nearly every moment of their lives. In many cases, their parents manage the accounts, negotiate sponsorships and decide what gets posted.
On the surface, it looks harmless.
After all, children have always been involved in entertainment. We have child actors, musicians and television personalities. Social media could simply be another version of that.
Yet I can't help feeling that there is a significant difference.
A child actor goes home when filming ends. A child influencer often lives in the production.
Their birthday parties become content. Family vacations become content. Tears, mistakes, achievements, and embarrassing moments can all become content.
The internet never forgets. What seems cute at age six may become uncomfortable at sixteen.
One concern I have is that children are rarely old enough to understand what they are agreeing to. How can a child truly consent to having years of their life documented for millions of strangers?
Another concern is safety. The internet is filled with wonderful people but it is also home to individuals with harmful intentions. The more visible a child becomes, the greater the risks that come with that visibility.
With visibility comes attention and attention breeds: likes, reshares and COMMENTS. I've seen the negative comments some of these folks drop on some posts and I must admit they are Gut wrenching.
The other day I was on Tiktok watching a Father love up on his daughter as it was her birthday. I was already imagining doing the same when I became a father with a smile on my face and teary eyes. Yo! I went to the comment section and I was amazed at how some uncultured folks were calling him a pedophile and all sorts.
Sometimes, I sit back and wonder is it that these people weren't raised in love or is it just the sad reality of the time we live in that people judge everything from a lens of negativity.
Well that's a gist for another time.
Then there is the question of money. Whenever large audiences attract sponsorship deals and advertising revenue, it becomes difficult to ignore the possibility of exploitation. Not every parent is motivated by profit, of course. Many genuinely believe they are creating opportunities for their children.
But when a child's popularity becomes a source of family income, the lines can become blurry. Is the child participating because they enjoy it? Or because the adults around them need the content to keep coming?
That question matters.
Personally, I don't think the answer is to completely ban children from creating content. Some kids genuinely enjoy performing, storytelling or sharing their talents. Creative expression can be healthy and rewarding.
What I do believe is that the child's welfare must come before views, followers and brand deals. As a soon to be parent, I think it's imperative to protect their privacy, respect their boundaries and ensure that participation is truly voluntary.
There should also be safeguards to guarantee that any income generated benefits the child. Children deserve the freedom to discover who they are without growing up under the constant gaze of millions.
Fame can wait but Childhood cannot.
And if we ever have to choose between creating a successful influencer and protecting a child's right to simply be a child, I believe the choice should be an easy one.
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