Because of the case of Ruby Franke, Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox signs a law to protect children from online influencers who share their lives on social media platforms. Her daughter, Shari Franke states: “I don’t come today as the daughter of a felon, nor a victim of an abnormally abusive mother. I come today as a victim of family vlogging.”
Under the Utah law content creators featuring minors making 150K will be required to set aside 15% to the child in a trust until they are 18 years of age.
A new Hulu documentary titled, “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke” reignited interest in the case as the legislation was taking course.
Utah Passes Law To Protect Children From Influencers Like Ruby Franke
This became a huge ordeal because many moms in Utah, especially, document their lives on social media. This makes Utah the fourth state to pass a law protecting children from online influencers like Ruby Franke. The law also states that when the child becomes an adult they can request the removal or edit of such content that they are involved with.
Who is Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke is a former YouTuber who started a family channel, 8 Passengers, back in 2015 documenting her day to day life in Utah. In 2023, Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested for aggravated child abuse. She was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Today, her now adult children and ex-husband share their experience on different platforms and books.
A 12 year old boy appeared on a ring camera emaciated with open wounds asking for help after escaping Franke’s co-influencer Jodi’s home in 2023. Many viewers of her YouTube channel started noticing the way she was tormenting her kids through harsh punishment and the vlogger was getting called out. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Franke shared ‘Mormonism’ and exposed her beliefs on how to raise her children. She filmed them being disciplined in ways that were not ‘normal’ and the extreme abuse became evident. In one video, Franke explained why her daughter needed to starve to learn to pack her own lunch. In another, she threatened her child with losing the “privilege of eating dinner.”
The Santa Clara Ivins police officer who responded to the incident said that Ruby was aware of everything going on in the Hildebrant home because there was video of her filming downstairs where the daughter was being held captive. Both the young boy and girl were hospitalized and are now doing well considering.
Kevin (ex husband) and Ruby just settled agreement that he own the 1.3 Million dollar home in Utah.
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