1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:02,060 (THEME MUSIC PLAYS) 2 00:00:13,180 --> 00:00:15,660 (PULSATING MUSIC PLAYS) 3 00:00:15,660 --> 00:00:15,900 (PULSATING MUSIC PLAYS) JESSICA LONGBOTTOM: It's the age of influencers, 4 00:00:15,900 --> 00:00:18,180 JESSICA LONGBOTTOM: It's the age of influencers, 5 00:00:18,180 --> 00:00:21,060 and Australian kids are getting on board. 6 00:00:22,620 --> 00:00:26,900 It just blew up. People were just sharing it, and I thought, "Wow!" 7 00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:29,180 Encouraged by parents, 8 00:00:29,180 --> 00:00:34,460 they're filling social-media feeds and vying to be the next big thing... 9 00:00:35,420 --> 00:00:37,900 They are more authentic, more real. 10 00:00:37,900 --> 00:00:38,140 ..selling everything They are more authentic, more real. 11 00:00:38,140 --> 00:00:41,340 ..selling everything from make-up to high fashion... 12 00:00:41,340 --> 00:00:41,580 ..selling everything Oh, my gosh! 13 00:00:41,580 --> 00:00:43,180 Oh, my gosh! 14 00:00:43,180 --> 00:00:45,340 ..they're reaching millions of people. 15 00:00:45,340 --> 00:00:48,660 So, first we've got the viral TikTok skincare headband. 16 00:00:48,660 --> 00:00:52,940 The most famous make tens of millions of dollars a year. 17 00:00:52,940 --> 00:00:55,660 ZOE: She's her own brand now, I think. 18 00:00:55,660 --> 00:00:55,900 ZOE: She's her own brand now, AVA: I want to be famous 19 00:00:55,900 --> 00:00:58,140 AVA: I want to be famous 20 00:00:58,140 --> 00:01:02,420 'cause I feel like I can keep going and then I will never stop. 21 00:01:03,220 --> 00:01:05,940 But behind the glitz and glamour 22 00:01:05,940 --> 00:01:07,820 there are growing concerns 23 00:01:07,820 --> 00:01:08,060 about who is really benefiting there are growing concerns 24 00:01:08,060 --> 00:01:13,060 about who is really benefiting from this new breed of child star. 25 00:01:13,060 --> 00:01:16,300 JULIE INMAN GRANT: We're promoting this imagery and we're glorifying it 26 00:01:16,300 --> 00:01:16,540 JULIE INMAN GRANT: We're promoting and we're commodifying it. 27 00:01:16,540 --> 00:01:17,820 and we're commodifying it. 28 00:01:17,820 --> 00:01:20,060 People are profiting from this. 29 00:01:21,220 --> 00:01:24,100 And can kids really consent? 30 00:01:24,100 --> 00:01:27,580 Do you ever feel like you were forced to do anything you didn't want to do? 31 00:01:27,580 --> 00:01:30,300 No. I wanted to start up the account. 32 00:01:30,300 --> 00:01:34,660 This is her career, so, how else do you put her out there? 33 00:01:36,420 --> 00:01:39,300 No matter how well-meaning the parents, 34 00:01:39,300 --> 00:01:41,820 they can't always control who's watching. 35 00:01:43,060 --> 00:01:46,580 It is clear that offenders will obviously gravitate 36 00:01:46,580 --> 00:01:49,700 to victims that are easier to access. 37 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:51,060 ZOE: The first time I ever received one 38 00:01:51,060 --> 00:01:51,300 ZOE: I felt sick to my stomach. 39 00:01:51,300 --> 00:01:52,540 I felt sick to my stomach. 40 00:01:52,540 --> 00:01:55,820 We're not going to put our kids in short shorts and midriff tops 41 00:01:55,820 --> 00:01:58,820 on a dark street corner in King's Cross, 42 00:01:58,820 --> 00:02:00,860 but we're doing the same in the online world. 43 00:02:00,860 --> 00:02:03,780 If you just flick through there, you can see. 44 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:06,860 Gross. 45 00:02:07,820 --> 00:02:09,420 This is a child. 46 00:02:09,420 --> 00:02:12,500 Oh, wow. OK. So, she's very young. 47 00:02:13,460 --> 00:02:14,940 In this Four Corners 48 00:02:14,940 --> 00:02:19,460 we delve into the unregulated world of child influencers. 49 00:02:19,460 --> 00:02:21,780 While some parents hope it's setting their kids up 50 00:02:21,780 --> 00:02:23,780 for the career of a lifetime, 51 00:02:23,780 --> 00:02:26,180 we've found they're often exposed 52 00:02:26,180 --> 00:02:27,700 to a dark side, 53 00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:30,260 and the companies that stand to benefit 54 00:02:30,260 --> 00:02:32,980 aren't doing enough to keep them safe. 55 00:02:41,020 --> 00:02:42,540 GROUP: One! 56 00:02:42,540 --> 00:02:43,700 Two! 57 00:02:43,700 --> 00:02:44,980 Three! 58 00:02:44,980 --> 00:02:45,980 Four! 59 00:02:45,980 --> 00:02:47,180 Five! 60 00:02:47,180 --> 00:02:49,380 Inside a warehouse in South Australia 61 00:02:49,380 --> 00:02:53,380 these cheerleaders are preparing for competition. 62 00:02:53,380 --> 00:02:53,620 these cheerleaders (GROUP YELLS ENCOURAGEMENT) 63 00:02:53,620 --> 00:02:55,340 (GROUP YELLS ENCOURAGEMENT) 64 00:02:55,340 --> 00:02:57,740 (HI-ENERGY MUSIC PLAYS) 65 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:04,300 GROUP: Go, Ava! 66 00:03:07,220 --> 00:03:09,900 (GROUP CHEERS) 67 00:03:09,900 --> 00:03:10,140 10-year-old Ava spends at least three (GROUP CHEERS) 68 00:03:10,140 --> 00:03:14,740 10-year-old Ava spends at least three hours a night, four days a week here 69 00:03:14,740 --> 00:03:14,980 10-year-old Ava spends at least three training to be the best. 70 00:03:14,980 --> 00:03:17,420 training to be the best. 71 00:03:17,420 --> 00:03:18,540 And one. 72 00:03:19,740 --> 00:03:21,100 Ohh! (LAUGHS) 73 00:03:21,100 --> 00:03:24,780 As the flyer - the person who gets thrown high in the air - 74 00:03:24,780 --> 00:03:25,020 As the flyer - the person she loves being centre stage. 75 00:03:25,020 --> 00:03:27,620 she loves being centre stage. 76 00:03:28,660 --> 00:03:30,660 COACH: Just try it one more time. Just have confidence. 77 00:03:30,660 --> 00:03:32,700 When you fly, you've got to go up first. 78 00:03:32,700 --> 00:03:36,860 ZOE: Ava's a big personality in a little person's body. 79 00:03:36,860 --> 00:03:38,340 She's very, very active, 80 00:03:38,340 --> 00:03:41,060 so, she loves cheerleading and dance. 81 00:03:41,060 --> 00:03:44,380 And she's got goals. She's got aspirations. 82 00:03:44,380 --> 00:03:47,580 She just loves to perform for other people. Always. 83 00:03:47,580 --> 00:03:50,060 She sees a camera or anything, she's keen, she's ready. 84 00:03:56,700 --> 00:04:01,460 Ava performs for tens of thousands of people around the world 85 00:04:01,460 --> 00:04:03,700 through her Instagram channel. 86 00:04:05,140 --> 00:04:07,020 We're in COVID in lockdown through school, 87 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:08,740 like, we couldn't go anywhere, 88 00:04:08,740 --> 00:04:10,260 and started with the beach 89 00:04:10,260 --> 00:04:12,740 and taking some shots in some new dresses 90 00:04:12,740 --> 00:04:15,620 and it all sort of blew up from there. 91 00:04:15,620 --> 00:04:15,860 and it all sort of blew up Hello, hello, hello. 92 00:04:15,860 --> 00:04:17,340 Hello, hello, hello. 93 00:04:17,340 --> 00:04:18,380 Ha! 94 00:04:18,380 --> 00:04:21,380 SONG: # Let's get married in Vegas We don't need a guest list 95 00:04:21,380 --> 00:04:21,620 SONG: # Let's get married in Vegas # I don't wanna think too much... # 96 00:04:21,620 --> 00:04:23,860 # I don't wanna think too much... # 97 00:04:23,860 --> 00:04:27,300 Ava has had the account since she was eight, 98 00:04:27,300 --> 00:04:31,580 using it to show off her modelling, acrobatic and dance skills. 99 00:04:31,580 --> 00:04:34,740 AVA: I think my first ever video was Science At Home, 100 00:04:34,740 --> 00:04:38,020 and I got, like, more views and more followers. 101 00:04:38,020 --> 00:04:39,620 So, it went to, like, 1,000 102 00:04:39,620 --> 00:04:43,060 to, like, 2,000 in, like, two nights. 103 00:04:43,060 --> 00:04:45,220 So, I was pretty happy about that. 104 00:04:45,220 --> 00:04:45,460 So, I was pretty happy SONG: # You're so beautiful 105 00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:47,300 SONG: # You're so beautiful 106 00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:47,540 # I think it's time SONG: # You're so beautiful 107 00:04:47,540 --> 00:04:51,180 # I think it's time for the world to see... # 108 00:04:51,180 --> 00:04:51,420 # I think it's time Now, with more than 14,000 followers, 109 00:04:51,420 --> 00:04:54,020 Now, with more than 14,000 followers, 110 00:04:54,020 --> 00:04:57,140 she's joining the multitudes of children worldwide 111 00:04:57,140 --> 00:04:57,380 she's joining trying to be influencers, 112 00:04:57,380 --> 00:04:59,620 trying to be influencers, 113 00:04:59,620 --> 00:05:02,380 also known as 'kidfluencers'. 114 00:05:02,380 --> 00:05:03,900 Nice, big smiles. (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) 115 00:05:03,900 --> 00:05:04,140 Nice, big smiles. # Every time you smile 116 00:05:04,140 --> 00:05:06,020 # Every time you smile 117 00:05:06,020 --> 00:05:09,460 # Breaking hearts You don't know you do 118 00:05:09,460 --> 00:05:11,820 # They say, "Ooh-la-la!" 119 00:05:11,820 --> 00:05:13,660 # Looking in your eyes 120 00:05:13,660 --> 00:05:16,540 # Marilyn's got nothing on you... # 121 00:05:20,860 --> 00:05:22,900 Child influencers can make money 122 00:05:22,900 --> 00:05:25,060 through collaborations with brands, 123 00:05:25,060 --> 00:05:26,980 views on their videos 124 00:05:26,980 --> 00:05:27,220 and paid subscriptions views on their videos 125 00:05:27,220 --> 00:05:29,620 and paid subscriptions to their channels. 126 00:05:29,620 --> 00:05:32,900 It's the best face wash out there. You NEED to get it. 127 00:05:40,300 --> 00:05:43,980 They use sites like YouTube and TikTok, 128 00:05:43,980 --> 00:05:48,260 but the platform of choice for many brands using influencers in Australia 129 00:05:48,260 --> 00:05:49,980 is Instagram. 130 00:05:49,980 --> 00:05:52,460 Ava's promoted all sorts of products, 131 00:05:52,460 --> 00:05:56,620 from fairy floss to online reading tools and stamps. 132 00:05:57,580 --> 00:06:00,500 So, I got the pink one. It's just, like, a normal ponytail. 133 00:06:00,500 --> 00:06:03,980 Got the braided ponytail and another braided ponytail. 134 00:06:03,980 --> 00:06:07,060 And she has quite the collection of free stuff 135 00:06:07,060 --> 00:06:10,180 sent to her in exchange for her promotion. 136 00:06:10,180 --> 00:06:13,620 Then I have my dresses that I also got for free, 137 00:06:13,620 --> 00:06:16,620 and my favourite one is probably this one. 138 00:06:17,580 --> 00:06:19,580 Oh, I got this one for free. 139 00:06:19,580 --> 00:06:21,580 So, I got this. 140 00:06:21,580 --> 00:06:23,540 And... 141 00:06:23,540 --> 00:06:25,740 ..my hairbrush is somewhere. 142 00:06:26,780 --> 00:06:29,860 How does having 14,000 followers make you feel? 143 00:06:29,860 --> 00:06:33,140 It feels good 'cause when people see my followers, 144 00:06:33,140 --> 00:06:36,740 they want to, like, collab with me and... 145 00:06:36,740 --> 00:06:36,980 they want to, like, Like, I think I hit, like, 13, 146 00:06:36,980 --> 00:06:39,780 Like, I think I hit, like, 13, 147 00:06:39,780 --> 00:06:42,820 and then people started sending more stuff. 148 00:06:43,780 --> 00:06:45,580 OK. Ready. Alright, you got it? 149 00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:47,900 Alright, go. 150 00:06:50,620 --> 00:06:52,100 Ava and her mum 151 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:55,780 have even taken to promoting products that they've paid for 152 00:06:55,780 --> 00:06:58,580 in the hope it'll be reposted by the company 153 00:06:58,580 --> 00:06:58,820 in the hope it'll be reposted by the company and grow her following. 154 00:06:58,820 --> 00:07:00,420 and grow her following. 155 00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:05,060 Children under 13 aren't able to have their own Instagram accounts, 156 00:07:05,060 --> 00:07:08,380 so, Ava is only allowed to have this online profile 157 00:07:08,380 --> 00:07:08,620 so, Ava is only allowed because it's run by Zoe. 158 00:07:08,620 --> 00:07:10,460 because it's run by Zoe. 159 00:07:11,540 --> 00:07:14,220 So, who does the posting? Is it you or Ava? 160 00:07:14,220 --> 00:07:14,460 So, who does the posting? Ava makes a lot of her own. 161 00:07:14,460 --> 00:07:16,180 Ava makes a lot of her own. 162 00:07:16,180 --> 00:07:16,420 She'll do a lot of the ones Ava makes a lot of her own. 163 00:07:16,420 --> 00:07:19,580 She'll do a lot of the ones where she's, like, dancing. 164 00:07:19,580 --> 00:07:21,540 Can you come and check this before I post it? 165 00:07:21,540 --> 00:07:25,260 As for, like, the marketing side of things and that, 166 00:07:25,260 --> 00:07:25,500 As for, like, the marketing side I'll do pretty much all of that. 167 00:07:25,500 --> 00:07:27,380 I'll do pretty much all of that. 168 00:07:27,380 --> 00:07:27,620 That one... I'll do pretty much all of that. 169 00:07:27,620 --> 00:07:29,060 That one... Yeah, that's a bit... 170 00:07:29,060 --> 00:07:30,540 That's alright, isn't it? Yeah. 171 00:07:30,540 --> 00:07:32,580 Yeah? The song's pretty cool. SONG: # We lay out late 172 00:07:32,580 --> 00:07:32,820 Yeah? The song's pretty cool. (SINGS) # Underneath the pines 173 00:07:32,820 --> 00:07:33,660 (SINGS) # Underneath the pines 174 00:07:33,660 --> 00:07:33,900 # Still have fun (SINGS) # Underneath the pines 175 00:07:33,900 --> 00:07:36,340 # Still have fun when the sun won't shine. # 176 00:07:38,060 --> 00:07:41,380 One reason Zoe is encouraging Ava's growing stardom 177 00:07:41,380 --> 00:07:44,500 is to open up her options for the future. 178 00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:46,260 When she was in Year 1 at school 179 00:07:46,260 --> 00:07:49,300 she was diagnosed with a severe receptive language disorder 180 00:07:49,300 --> 00:07:49,540 she was diagnosed with and ADHD. 181 00:07:49,540 --> 00:07:51,380 and ADHD. 182 00:07:51,380 --> 00:07:51,620 So, she finds reading and writing and ADHD. 183 00:07:51,620 --> 00:07:54,780 So, she finds reading and writing quite difficult 184 00:07:54,780 --> 00:07:55,020 So, she finds reading and writing as well as being dyslexic. 185 00:07:55,020 --> 00:07:56,420 as well as being dyslexic. 186 00:07:56,420 --> 00:07:59,660 I think Instagram has helped with that as well, 187 00:07:59,660 --> 00:08:02,780 like, it's really helped to boost her confidence a bit. 188 00:08:02,780 --> 00:08:04,020 So, some people might have the image 189 00:08:04,020 --> 00:08:06,020 of a mum making a child do something 190 00:08:06,020 --> 00:08:07,980 they don't really want to do. Yep. Yep. 191 00:08:07,980 --> 00:08:09,900 Is that what's happening here with Ava? 192 00:08:09,900 --> 00:08:10,700 Nuh. 193 00:08:10,700 --> 00:08:12,340 You've seen Ava. (LAUGHS) 194 00:08:12,340 --> 00:08:15,220 She's very much got her own personality. 195 00:08:15,220 --> 00:08:17,740 PHOTOGRAPHER: (LAUGHS) Where's your muscles, Ava? 196 00:08:17,740 --> 00:08:19,100 Sometimes she tells me how it is. 197 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:20,100 Cute! 198 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:21,940 She's her own brand now, I think. 199 00:08:21,940 --> 00:08:22,180 It's taking her down She's her own brand now, I think. 200 00:08:22,180 --> 00:08:26,780 It's taking her down a whole other avenue, I think. Yeah. 201 00:08:26,780 --> 00:08:29,940 Do you think she does have the ability to consent to all this 202 00:08:29,940 --> 00:08:32,060 and to be putting this material online? 203 00:08:32,060 --> 00:08:32,300 and to be putting Um... 204 00:08:32,300 --> 00:08:33,460 Um... 205 00:08:33,460 --> 00:08:35,020 I don't think... 206 00:08:35,020 --> 00:08:37,740 ..any child, you know... 207 00:08:38,780 --> 00:08:40,780 ..can consent, to a degree. 208 00:08:40,780 --> 00:08:44,100 Like, that's why we have parents that advocate for them. 209 00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:45,660 But, at the end of the day, you know, 210 00:08:45,660 --> 00:08:50,500 we're looking at the dangers and the risks associated with Ava posting. 211 00:08:50,500 --> 00:08:50,740 we're looking at the dangers and the (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) 212 00:08:50,740 --> 00:08:52,140 (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) 213 00:08:53,140 --> 00:08:56,180 (BIRDS SQUAWK) (ENGINE RUMBLES) 214 00:09:00,260 --> 00:09:03,780 Ava is making a big income for a 10-year-old. 215 00:09:04,740 --> 00:09:07,980 On top of the free stuff she receives from brands 216 00:09:07,980 --> 00:09:12,100 Zoe says she earns up to $500 a month 217 00:09:12,100 --> 00:09:16,380 through donations and subscriptions from her followers. 218 00:09:17,300 --> 00:09:20,220 Zoe says Ava gets to keep the money. 219 00:09:21,180 --> 00:09:23,140 Do you know who her subscribers are? 220 00:09:23,140 --> 00:09:25,060 Um... Nope. 221 00:09:25,060 --> 00:09:26,700 No. 222 00:09:26,700 --> 00:09:29,980 Do you wonder why they're subscribing to see Ava? 223 00:09:29,980 --> 00:09:32,220 Um... Yeah, I have wondered that. 224 00:09:32,220 --> 00:09:33,220 Um... 225 00:09:33,220 --> 00:09:35,700 But then why do they... why do people subscribe 226 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:38,980 to the other hundreds of thousands of people on Instagram 227 00:09:38,980 --> 00:09:39,220 to the other hundreds of thousands or any other platform? 228 00:09:39,220 --> 00:09:40,500 or any other platform? 229 00:09:41,620 --> 00:09:45,900 Ava's growing following has made her parents take precautions 230 00:09:45,900 --> 00:09:48,460 that they don't take with their other children. 231 00:09:48,460 --> 00:09:52,780 She's not allowed to catch at all, like, the bus to school on her own. 232 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:55,780 We don't just send her off to the shops down the end of the street 233 00:09:55,780 --> 00:09:58,580 to go and get, you know, milk when we run out. 234 00:09:58,580 --> 00:10:01,460 We don't let her go to the park by herself. 235 00:10:01,460 --> 00:10:01,700 We don't let her go to the park I think... 236 00:10:01,700 --> 00:10:02,780 I think... 237 00:10:03,740 --> 00:10:06,300 ..it's just, you know, um... 238 00:10:07,260 --> 00:10:09,740 ..a bit more riskier with... 239 00:10:09,740 --> 00:10:14,500 ..Ava being on a social, um...platform. 240 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:15,660 Yeah. 241 00:10:15,660 --> 00:10:20,340 Online, Ava has attracted unwanted attention. 242 00:10:20,340 --> 00:10:24,660 As well as sexual comments being made on her Instagram page 243 00:10:24,660 --> 00:10:28,220 she's had explicit images sent to her. 244 00:10:28,220 --> 00:10:31,220 The first time I ever received one I felt sick to my stomach. 245 00:10:31,220 --> 00:10:34,900 Zoe spends part of each day before Ava gets up 246 00:10:34,900 --> 00:10:37,820 filtering messages and blocking users. 247 00:10:37,820 --> 00:10:43,060 So, do you worry that potentially a paedophile could fixate on her? 248 00:10:43,060 --> 00:10:44,940 Absolutely. Yep. 249 00:10:46,220 --> 00:10:50,060 We've sat down together as two parents and spoke about the risks 250 00:10:50,060 --> 00:10:54,580 and, you know, the pros and cons and what there is, what's going on, 251 00:10:54,580 --> 00:10:57,980 um...and had a chat with Ava as well about, you know, 252 00:10:57,980 --> 00:10:58,220 um...and had a chat with Ava as well do you continue? 253 00:10:58,220 --> 00:10:59,860 do you continue? 254 00:10:59,860 --> 00:11:01,420 Um... 255 00:11:02,380 --> 00:11:04,620 (SIGHS) She... At the end of the day, like, she loves it. 256 00:11:04,620 --> 00:11:10,740 As a parent, I think we need to be vigilant and aware at all the times 257 00:11:10,740 --> 00:11:14,500 whether your child is on or off social media with paedophiles, 258 00:11:14,500 --> 00:11:18,900 but we keep going because social media is what she loves. 259 00:11:20,020 --> 00:11:24,100 Commander Helen Schneider leads the Australian Federal Police unit 260 00:11:24,100 --> 00:11:27,820 that investigates online child sexual abuse. 261 00:11:27,820 --> 00:11:28,580 Hello? 262 00:11:28,580 --> 00:11:30,300 I think my concerns, 263 00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:33,540 whether it's child influencers or anyone who is posting that, 264 00:11:33,540 --> 00:11:38,580 is you are undoubtedly placing yourself in a greater-risk bracket. 265 00:11:38,580 --> 00:11:41,900 It is clear that offenders will obviously gravitate 266 00:11:41,900 --> 00:11:44,580 to victims that are easier to access. 267 00:11:44,580 --> 00:11:44,820 to victims What we're finding 268 00:11:44,820 --> 00:11:45,700 What we're finding 269 00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:45,940 in the seizure of devices and large amounts of data What we're finding 270 00:11:45,940 --> 00:11:48,780 in the seizure of devices and large amounts of data 271 00:11:48,780 --> 00:11:51,780 is often innocuous pictures of children 272 00:11:51,780 --> 00:11:52,060 is often innocuous pictures of children or non-sexualized images of children 273 00:11:52,060 --> 00:11:54,620 or non-sexualized images of children 274 00:11:54,620 --> 00:11:58,580 that are caught up in these images of child-abuse material. 275 00:11:58,580 --> 00:11:59,620 Do you like it? 276 00:11:59,620 --> 00:12:01,620 Yeah! Yeah! 277 00:12:01,620 --> 00:12:01,860 Yeah! You got a heart. 278 00:12:01,860 --> 00:12:03,100 You got a heart. 279 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:07,620 Nina is careful about what she posts of her son Jerome. 280 00:12:07,620 --> 00:12:08,820 Let's go. Let's go change. 281 00:12:08,820 --> 00:12:13,420 As a mother, I believe I'm doing everything possible to protect him 282 00:12:13,420 --> 00:12:13,660 As a mother, I believe I'm doing and do it all safely. 283 00:12:13,660 --> 00:12:15,620 and do it all safely. 284 00:12:15,620 --> 00:12:19,860 So, not posting things where they're topless or just in a nappy, 285 00:12:19,860 --> 00:12:21,900 where images can be doctored, 286 00:12:21,900 --> 00:12:25,860 and not taking photos of particular streets 287 00:12:25,860 --> 00:12:26,100 and not taking photos where you might be taking photos 288 00:12:26,100 --> 00:12:27,700 where you might be taking photos 289 00:12:27,700 --> 00:12:29,940 or sharing any form of location. 290 00:12:30,900 --> 00:12:32,780 A successful kidfluencer, 291 00:12:32,780 --> 00:12:36,580 Jerome has flown from his home in Queensland to Sydney 292 00:12:36,580 --> 00:12:39,580 to be the face of a new clothing line. 293 00:12:39,580 --> 00:12:42,780 So, Jerome has about 100,000 followers, 294 00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:43,020 So, Jerome and look at him, like... 295 00:12:43,020 --> 00:12:44,580 and look at him, like... 296 00:12:44,580 --> 00:12:46,340 ..his face speaks for itself, 297 00:12:46,340 --> 00:12:46,580 you know, ..his face speaks for itself, 298 00:12:46,580 --> 00:12:48,100 you know, there's not much I need to say. 299 00:12:48,100 --> 00:12:51,100 He's a beautiful boy, and people can see that. 300 00:12:53,300 --> 00:12:58,020 Thousands of people were watching Jerome even before he was born. 301 00:12:58,020 --> 00:12:59,940 His mother, Nina, is a model 302 00:12:59,940 --> 00:13:04,220 and already had her own following on Instagram when she became pregnant. 303 00:13:04,220 --> 00:13:07,260 Nina started his account when he was still in the womb. 304 00:13:10,780 --> 00:13:12,260 As soon as he was born 305 00:13:12,260 --> 00:13:15,580 I just looked at his face, I'm like, "Oh, here we go," 306 00:13:15,580 --> 00:13:15,820 I just looked at his face, like, "you're my son, 307 00:13:15,820 --> 00:13:17,340 like, "you're my son, 308 00:13:17,340 --> 00:13:17,580 "you're just going to be like, "you're my son, 309 00:13:17,580 --> 00:13:19,140 "you're just going to be a little mini copy of me." 310 00:13:19,140 --> 00:13:19,380 "you're just going to be And, even before he was born, 311 00:13:19,380 --> 00:13:20,620 And, even before he was born, 312 00:13:20,620 --> 00:13:22,860 people were like, "He's going to be a little model." 313 00:13:22,860 --> 00:13:23,100 people were like, And I kind of think 314 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:24,660 And I kind of think 315 00:13:24,660 --> 00:13:24,900 that just kind of manifested And I kind of think 316 00:13:24,900 --> 00:13:28,180 that just kind of manifested into where he is today, 317 00:13:28,180 --> 00:13:28,420 that just kind of manifested and he absolutely loves it now. 318 00:13:28,420 --> 00:13:30,100 and he absolutely loves it now. 319 00:13:34,780 --> 00:13:41,180 Brand deals rolled in, with Jerome now making about $20,000 a year, 320 00:13:41,180 --> 00:13:45,460 90% of which his parents say they put aside for him. 321 00:13:45,460 --> 00:13:47,860 At first it went well, 322 00:13:47,860 --> 00:13:52,380 but then Nina encountered the darker side of kidfluencing. 323 00:13:52,380 --> 00:13:55,340 She says different Instagram accounts started appearing 324 00:13:55,340 --> 00:13:55,580 She says different Instagram accounts featuring Jerome's photos, 325 00:13:55,580 --> 00:13:57,580 featuring Jerome's photos, 326 00:13:57,580 --> 00:14:01,140 with some of the account holders making shocking claims, 327 00:14:01,140 --> 00:14:05,300 like THEY were, in fact, Jerome's mother. 328 00:14:05,300 --> 00:14:06,940 When Nina contacted them 329 00:14:06,940 --> 00:14:09,500 they only doubled down. 330 00:14:09,500 --> 00:14:09,700 Oh, horrible. Yeah. they only doubled down. 331 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:11,380 Oh, horrible. Yeah. 332 00:14:11,380 --> 00:14:13,580 And especially when they're kind of taunting me 333 00:14:13,580 --> 00:14:15,580 and saying that, "No, he's MY child," 334 00:14:15,580 --> 00:14:15,820 and saying that, and, you know, 335 00:14:15,820 --> 00:14:16,580 and, you know, 336 00:14:16,580 --> 00:14:16,820 and, you know, Jerome's sitting right next to me, and it's just... 337 00:14:16,820 --> 00:14:19,100 Jerome's sitting right next to me, and it's just... 338 00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:21,220 Like, what do they get out of it? You know? 339 00:14:21,220 --> 00:14:23,980 It's frustrating, but there's really not much I can do. 340 00:14:27,060 --> 00:14:29,940 Worse was when her followers alerted her 341 00:14:29,940 --> 00:14:33,140 to what looked like a US adoption website. 342 00:14:33,140 --> 00:14:37,940 People were being told that for a price they could adopt a child. 343 00:14:37,940 --> 00:14:38,180 People were being told that for One of them was Jerome. 344 00:14:38,180 --> 00:14:40,220 One of them was Jerome. 345 00:14:42,100 --> 00:14:45,900 They portrayed themselves to be legitimate. 346 00:14:45,900 --> 00:14:50,940 They had an address of an adoption agency in America, 347 00:14:50,940 --> 00:14:56,380 and were posting my son, along with many other children. 348 00:14:56,380 --> 00:14:56,620 and were posting my son, I felt my heart sink. 349 00:14:56,620 --> 00:14:58,180 I felt my heart sink. 350 00:14:58,180 --> 00:14:59,460 I... 351 00:14:59,460 --> 00:15:02,060 I pretty much started crying, if I'm honest, 352 00:15:02,060 --> 00:15:04,060 and I just got goosebumps all over my body. 353 00:15:04,060 --> 00:15:06,500 Like, how... How has it gotten this far? 354 00:15:06,500 --> 00:15:08,540 Like, yeah, I felt horrible. 355 00:15:08,540 --> 00:15:10,500 As a mother, you want to protect your child, 356 00:15:10,500 --> 00:15:15,940 and I felt that that was out of my control now. 357 00:15:15,940 --> 00:15:16,220 We have to remember that social media is like the public square. and I felt that that was out of my control now. 358 00:15:16,220 --> 00:15:20,300 We have to remember that social media is like the public square. 359 00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:20,580 We have to remember that social media is like the public square. Sadly, it's become a bit of a cesspool, 360 00:15:20,580 --> 00:15:23,820 Sadly, it's become a bit of a cesspool, 361 00:15:23,820 --> 00:15:24,060 Sadly, it's become social media in general, 362 00:15:24,060 --> 00:15:25,460 social media in general, 363 00:15:25,460 --> 00:15:27,460 um...that attracts people 364 00:15:27,460 --> 00:15:27,700 who have ill intent or bad intent um...that attracts people 365 00:15:27,700 --> 00:15:30,860 who have ill intent or bad intent towards children. 366 00:15:30,860 --> 00:15:33,580 As you can see, this is my son 367 00:15:33,580 --> 00:15:35,740 on their website, um... 368 00:15:35,740 --> 00:15:37,820 It says to "Adopt now." 369 00:15:37,820 --> 00:15:40,060 Another photo of my son. 370 00:15:40,060 --> 00:15:42,020 Nina posted about the website 371 00:15:42,020 --> 00:15:42,260 Nina posted on her own page, 372 00:15:42,260 --> 00:15:43,860 on her own page, 373 00:15:43,860 --> 00:15:46,060 and the scam was ultimately 374 00:15:46,060 --> 00:15:47,300 taken offline. 375 00:15:47,300 --> 00:15:48,660 Who really knows if that's true? 376 00:15:48,660 --> 00:15:48,900 Who really knows I think a lot of people might think, 377 00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:50,140 I think a lot of people might think, 378 00:15:50,140 --> 00:15:50,380 "Why do you keep I think a lot of people might think, 379 00:15:50,380 --> 00:15:52,340 "Why do you keep putting Jerome out there 380 00:15:52,340 --> 00:15:54,340 "after something like this happened?" 381 00:15:54,340 --> 00:15:54,580 "after something like this Why DO you keep doing it? 382 00:15:54,580 --> 00:15:56,100 Why DO you keep doing it? 383 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:57,420 It's... 384 00:15:57,420 --> 00:15:59,620 It's a big learning curve. 385 00:15:59,620 --> 00:16:02,500 I love it. He loves it so far. 386 00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:04,260 PHOTOGRAPHER: Show me the lemons. Oh! 387 00:16:04,260 --> 00:16:07,660 I mean, I suppose it's up to him if he wants to continue it. 388 00:16:07,660 --> 00:16:11,940 And I'm being extremely careful and protective of him right now. 389 00:16:11,940 --> 00:16:14,580 I love what I do. I absolutely love it. 390 00:16:14,580 --> 00:16:18,820 And he's a beautiful boy and I'm very proud of him. 391 00:16:18,820 --> 00:16:21,700 Which is why I'm continuing to do it. 392 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:25,020 And, listening to you talk, it sounds like this is a lot of what YOU want. 393 00:16:25,020 --> 00:16:28,500 There's probably people thinking, "Well, is this what Jerome wants?" 394 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:31,900 Well, I never force him into anything. 395 00:16:31,900 --> 00:16:35,940 And, for him, a photo shoot is really him going to play, 396 00:16:35,940 --> 00:16:36,180 And, for him, a photo shoot and we just capture what we can. 397 00:16:36,180 --> 00:16:37,700 and we just capture what we can. 398 00:16:37,700 --> 00:16:41,300 And have you thought about, I guess, issues of consent? 399 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:41,540 And have you thought about, I mean, a lot of people would say, 400 00:16:41,540 --> 00:16:42,940 I mean, a lot of people would say, 401 00:16:42,940 --> 00:16:43,180 "Look, he's four - I mean, a lot of people would say, 402 00:16:43,180 --> 00:16:44,860 "Look, he's four - he doesn't know what he's doing." 403 00:16:44,860 --> 00:16:47,820 Can he consent to this? And how do you think he'll feel when he's older? 404 00:16:47,820 --> 00:16:48,060 Can he consent to this? And how do I think I'm doing the best I can 405 00:16:48,060 --> 00:16:49,500 I think I'm doing the best I can 406 00:16:49,500 --> 00:16:52,660 to explain in detail what we're doing. 407 00:16:52,660 --> 00:16:55,300 So, um...he's comfortable with it. 408 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:58,060 And, you know, I'm his mum, I know best, 409 00:16:58,060 --> 00:17:00,580 and, at the end of the day, it's up to me. 410 00:17:00,580 --> 00:17:03,740 And if I believe I'm protecting him while doing it, 411 00:17:03,740 --> 00:17:04,980 that's the best I can do. 412 00:17:04,980 --> 00:17:07,780 PHOTOGRAPHER: Can you look this way? Can you look to the curtains for me? 413 00:17:07,780 --> 00:17:11,420 Simona Stirling has worked in marketing for nine years 414 00:17:11,420 --> 00:17:14,060 and is now launching a new children's fashion label. 415 00:17:14,060 --> 00:17:14,300 and is now launching (LAUGHS) 416 00:17:14,300 --> 00:17:15,060 (LAUGHS) 417 00:17:15,060 --> 00:17:17,700 Working up a sweat over here. (LAUGHS) 418 00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:20,220 I think people want to sort of see kidfluencers 419 00:17:20,220 --> 00:17:23,580 because I think they are more authentic, more real. 420 00:17:23,580 --> 00:17:26,100 That then translates to sales, definitely. 421 00:17:26,100 --> 00:17:28,340 Ohh! What's up, Jerome? 422 00:17:28,340 --> 00:17:30,900 I've worked with brands where they've basically 423 00:17:30,900 --> 00:17:34,980 had their top-performing ads of all time be of an influencer, 424 00:17:34,980 --> 00:17:39,060 and that way outperformed any even campaign shoots that they did 425 00:17:39,060 --> 00:17:41,740 that they might have spent $30,000, $40,000 on, 426 00:17:41,740 --> 00:17:44,780 and then they've spent maybe $1,000 or gifted free product, 427 00:17:44,780 --> 00:17:46,020 and that's been their top performer. 428 00:17:46,020 --> 00:17:47,180 Ohh! 429 00:17:47,180 --> 00:17:48,860 While Nina only works 430 00:17:48,860 --> 00:17:49,100 with companies she believes While Nina only works 431 00:17:49,100 --> 00:17:51,540 with companies she believes are doing the right thing, 432 00:17:51,540 --> 00:17:51,780 with companies she believes there are plenty who aren't. 433 00:17:51,780 --> 00:17:53,460 there are plenty who aren't. 434 00:17:53,460 --> 00:17:57,220 (YELLS) Yeah! 435 00:17:57,220 --> 00:17:57,460 They are willing to prioritise profit (YELLS) Yeah! 436 00:17:57,460 --> 00:17:59,740 They are willing to prioritise profit 437 00:17:59,740 --> 00:18:02,940 over children's safety and well-being. 438 00:18:02,940 --> 00:18:03,220 over children's safety and well-being. We want to see corporations putting safety measures in place 439 00:18:03,220 --> 00:18:08,380 We want to see corporations putting safety measures in place 440 00:18:08,380 --> 00:18:08,620 We want to see corporations and not utilising children 441 00:18:08,620 --> 00:18:10,860 and not utilising children 442 00:18:10,860 --> 00:18:15,220 to, essentially, be billboards for their brands. 443 00:18:15,220 --> 00:18:18,780 Lyn Swanson Kennedy works with Collective Shout, 444 00:18:18,780 --> 00:18:19,020 Lyn Swanson Kennedy an Australian organisation concerned 445 00:18:19,020 --> 00:18:21,260 an Australian organisation concerned 446 00:18:21,260 --> 00:18:25,260 about the growing objectification of women and children. 447 00:18:25,260 --> 00:18:29,820 She believes no child should be an influencer, 448 00:18:29,820 --> 00:18:33,860 and one of the companies in her sights is fashion giant Shein. 449 00:18:33,860 --> 00:18:39,140 Often the girls are dressed in sexualised clothing, 450 00:18:39,140 --> 00:18:39,380 Often the girls are dressed they are posed very adult-like, 451 00:18:39,380 --> 00:18:42,540 they are posed very adult-like, 452 00:18:42,540 --> 00:18:44,500 they are pouting. 453 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:47,660 JULIE INMAN GRANT: The challenge with sexualising young people 454 00:18:47,660 --> 00:18:47,900 JULIE INMAN GRANT: The challenge as part of influencing 455 00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:49,460 as part of influencing 456 00:18:49,460 --> 00:18:51,260 is it's subtle. 457 00:18:51,260 --> 00:18:51,460 There may not be that solid line, is it's subtle. 458 00:18:51,460 --> 00:18:54,860 There may not be that solid line, 459 00:18:54,860 --> 00:18:56,540 but, clearly, 460 00:18:56,540 --> 00:18:58,260 the more suggestive 461 00:18:58,260 --> 00:18:58,460 the more suggestive or sexualised the child is, 462 00:18:58,460 --> 00:19:02,180 or sexualised the child is, 463 00:19:02,180 --> 00:19:04,020 depending on their audience, 464 00:19:04,020 --> 00:19:08,340 the more comments, the more likes, the more hits they're getting, 465 00:19:08,340 --> 00:19:08,580 the more comments, the more likes, obviously, the more attention. 466 00:19:08,580 --> 00:19:10,060 obviously, the more attention. 467 00:19:12,380 --> 00:19:17,740 Shein's already been reprimanded for its use of kidfluencers. 468 00:19:17,740 --> 00:19:21,300 An Australian girl posted a video from her account 469 00:19:21,300 --> 00:19:25,020 showing her wearing a cut-out Shein dress. 470 00:19:26,420 --> 00:19:29,260 The post included a discount code, 471 00:19:29,260 --> 00:19:32,980 which meant it's likely the girl would be paid commission by Shein 472 00:19:32,980 --> 00:19:33,220 which meant it's likely the girl if people bought the item. 473 00:19:33,220 --> 00:19:35,740 if people bought the item. 474 00:19:37,100 --> 00:19:40,260 The regulator, the Ad Standards Community Panel, 475 00:19:40,260 --> 00:19:40,500 The regulator, noted the girl was 14. 476 00:19:40,500 --> 00:19:42,980 noted the girl was 14. 477 00:19:42,980 --> 00:19:44,940 It considered Shein did have 478 00:19:44,940 --> 00:19:45,180 "a reasonable degree of control It considered Shein did have 479 00:19:45,180 --> 00:19:47,900 "a reasonable degree of control over the advertisement" 480 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:48,140 "a reasonable degree of control and depicted the girl 481 00:19:48,140 --> 00:19:49,380 and depicted the girl 482 00:19:49,380 --> 00:19:51,180 "in a manner which treats her 483 00:19:51,180 --> 00:19:54,500 "as an object of sexual appeal." 484 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:56,740 In response to our queries 485 00:19:56,740 --> 00:20:00,020 Shein issued a brief statement saying it: 486 00:20:11,060 --> 00:20:13,260 Shein is one of many brands 487 00:20:13,260 --> 00:20:18,380 that have been criticised for sexualising children on social media. 488 00:20:18,380 --> 00:20:21,340 eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant 489 00:20:21,340 --> 00:20:25,380 is Australia's independent regulator for online safety. 490 00:20:25,380 --> 00:20:30,580 Before taking up the role, she spent 20 years working for big tech. 491 00:20:30,580 --> 00:20:34,300 She says social-media platforms as well as brands 492 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:34,540 She says social-media platforms are profiting from sexualisation. 493 00:20:34,540 --> 00:20:36,980 are profiting from sexualisation. 494 00:20:39,260 --> 00:20:41,500 JULIE INMAN GRANT: There's always been peer pressure, 495 00:20:41,500 --> 00:20:45,260 but the kind of peer pressure created by social media, 496 00:20:45,260 --> 00:20:48,980 this rock-star, confected version of self, 497 00:20:48,980 --> 00:20:49,220 this rock-star, confected can be so harmful and damaging. 498 00:20:49,220 --> 00:20:52,100 can be so harmful and damaging. 499 00:20:53,460 --> 00:20:55,940 And we don't want to sexualise 500 00:20:55,940 --> 00:20:59,740 an entire generation of tweens and younger, 501 00:20:59,740 --> 00:21:02,820 but that's what we're seeing when we're promoting this imagery 502 00:21:02,820 --> 00:21:06,100 and we're glorifying it and we're commodifying it. 503 00:21:06,100 --> 00:21:06,340 and we're glorifying it People are profiting from this. 504 00:21:06,340 --> 00:21:08,580 People are profiting from this. 505 00:21:08,580 --> 00:21:10,380 So, we need to take, I think, 506 00:21:10,380 --> 00:21:10,620 a closer look at ourselves So, we need to take, I think, 507 00:21:10,620 --> 00:21:12,980 a closer look at ourselves as a society. 508 00:21:26,180 --> 00:21:30,740 For Bobbi, being a kidfluencer was about highlighting her dance talents 509 00:21:30,740 --> 00:21:30,980 For Bobbi, being a kidfluencer was and getting brand deals. 510 00:21:30,980 --> 00:21:33,220 and getting brand deals. 511 00:21:33,220 --> 00:21:35,660 In the darker places on the internet 512 00:21:35,660 --> 00:21:38,140 it became about something else. 513 00:21:39,100 --> 00:21:42,140 (ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC PLAYS) 514 00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:53,740 Now 15, she's been dancing since she was a little girl. 515 00:21:53,740 --> 00:21:53,980 Now 15, she's been dancing BOBBI: It's literally my whole life 516 00:21:53,980 --> 00:21:55,300 BOBBI: It's literally my whole life 517 00:21:55,300 --> 00:21:55,540 'cause all I do is dance, BOBBI: It's literally my whole life 518 00:21:55,540 --> 00:21:58,060 'cause all I do is dance, like, all day, every day. 519 00:21:58,060 --> 00:22:02,020 And it's just something that, like, I'm so passionate about. 520 00:22:05,380 --> 00:22:08,180 KYM: I remember one day she said to me that, 521 00:22:08,180 --> 00:22:08,460 "If I didn't have dance, it would be like not breathing." KYM: I remember one day she said to me that, 522 00:22:08,460 --> 00:22:11,340 "If I didn't have dance, it would be like not breathing." 523 00:22:11,340 --> 00:22:11,580 "If I didn't have dance, And I... 524 00:22:11,580 --> 00:22:12,820 And I... 525 00:22:12,820 --> 00:22:15,380 ..I appreciate that because she absolutely loves it. 526 00:22:18,100 --> 00:22:19,580 When Bobbi was seven 527 00:22:19,580 --> 00:22:23,380 her mother started her Instagram account. 528 00:22:23,380 --> 00:22:26,460 SONG: # She's a straight-talking Street-walking 529 00:22:26,460 --> 00:22:30,780 # Top-shelf Redlining limousine... # 530 00:22:31,740 --> 00:22:34,660 We would go and spend half a day and we would have a lot of fun. 531 00:22:34,660 --> 00:22:37,460 It was just her and I in the moment, taking shots, 532 00:22:37,460 --> 00:22:39,100 and that was her being creative and expressing. 533 00:22:39,100 --> 00:22:39,340 # She's a fast car and that was her being creative and expressing. 534 00:22:39,340 --> 00:22:41,940 # She's a fast car 535 00:22:41,940 --> 00:22:43,420 # A superstar... # 536 00:22:43,420 --> 00:22:47,500 Kym says she did it to promote Bobbi's dance career. 537 00:22:47,500 --> 00:22:47,740 Kym says she did it to promote Bobbi's dance career. We always were very mindful 538 00:22:47,740 --> 00:22:50,020 We always were very mindful 539 00:22:50,020 --> 00:22:52,460 of the content that we posted, the angles that we used. 540 00:22:52,460 --> 00:22:52,700 of the content that we posted, You know, I tried my hardest 541 00:22:52,700 --> 00:22:54,220 You know, I tried my hardest 542 00:22:54,220 --> 00:22:59,220 to portray her as the child she was, at the age she was. 543 00:22:59,220 --> 00:23:01,220 But, you know, a lot of the time, 544 00:23:01,220 --> 00:23:04,340 it's a dance world and, you know, the costumes are small 545 00:23:04,340 --> 00:23:08,420 and, you know, she's got a full face of make-up on. 546 00:23:08,420 --> 00:23:08,660 and, you know, she's got (WAVES LAP) 547 00:23:08,660 --> 00:23:11,100 (WAVES LAP) 548 00:23:11,100 --> 00:23:13,660 After a couple of years it went big 549 00:23:13,660 --> 00:23:18,940 with multiple brand deals and Bobbi reaching 250,000 followers. 550 00:23:21,540 --> 00:23:26,580 At her peak up to 2,000 new followers were joining each day. 551 00:23:28,460 --> 00:23:31,380 And there's this one. Oh, my gosh. 552 00:23:31,380 --> 00:23:31,620 And there's this one. Wow. That's a long time ago. 553 00:23:31,620 --> 00:23:34,100 Wow. That's a long time ago. 554 00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:35,380 Seven years after she started, 555 00:23:35,380 --> 00:23:36,900 Bobbi can now reflect 556 00:23:36,900 --> 00:23:40,620 on what it was like being a kidfluencer at such a young age. 557 00:23:40,620 --> 00:23:40,860 on what it was like being Oh, my gosh. (LAUGHS) 558 00:23:40,860 --> 00:23:42,500 Oh, my gosh. (LAUGHS) 559 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:43,860 I didn't think I was an influencer. 560 00:23:43,860 --> 00:23:46,660 Like, at that age I wasn't caring about the followers or the likes. 561 00:23:46,660 --> 00:23:46,900 Like, at that age I wasn't caring Oh, my God. (CHORTLES) 562 00:23:46,900 --> 00:23:47,740 Oh, my God. (CHORTLES) 563 00:23:47,740 --> 00:23:51,260 I think I was just a little kid just showing off what they do, yeah. 564 00:23:51,260 --> 00:23:53,260 Sometimes when we, like, do these things, 565 00:23:53,260 --> 00:23:55,780 I'd always get, like, frustrated and I was just like... 566 00:23:55,780 --> 00:23:58,380 Sometimes, yeah, I didn't want to do it. 567 00:23:58,380 --> 00:24:00,380 But, yeah, I am glad that I, like, did it 568 00:24:00,380 --> 00:24:02,500 because obviously it got me, like, in a good place 569 00:24:02,500 --> 00:24:02,740 because obviously with all, like, the... 570 00:24:02,740 --> 00:24:03,780 with all, like, the... 571 00:24:03,780 --> 00:24:07,180 Like, I got lots of deals and, like, brand deals and sponsorships. 572 00:24:08,140 --> 00:24:09,340 At its height 573 00:24:09,340 --> 00:24:13,860 Kym was spending many hours a day managing Bobbi's Instagram, 574 00:24:13,860 --> 00:24:18,140 but says it became impossible to monitor who was following her. 575 00:24:18,140 --> 00:24:22,420 Instagram allows account owners to block users, 576 00:24:22,420 --> 00:24:27,220 but Kym says the clunky process meant she couldn't block all of them. 577 00:24:27,220 --> 00:24:27,460 but Kym says the clunky process meant Who were her followers? 578 00:24:27,460 --> 00:24:29,700 Who were her followers? 579 00:24:29,700 --> 00:24:31,540 There was a lot of dancers, 580 00:24:31,540 --> 00:24:31,780 and at one point, I think, yeah, There was a lot of dancers, 581 00:24:31,780 --> 00:24:34,420 and at one point, I think, yeah, there was a lot of men, 582 00:24:34,420 --> 00:24:37,820 and it was varying ages and from lots of different countries. 583 00:24:37,820 --> 00:24:39,700 What kind of things were you blocking? 584 00:24:39,700 --> 00:24:41,460 It would be inappropriate comments, 585 00:24:41,460 --> 00:24:45,220 comments which had more of a sexual connotation to them, 586 00:24:45,220 --> 00:24:49,540 which, you know, really upset me the first time I became aware of it. 587 00:24:49,540 --> 00:24:51,300 Like, inappropriate emojis, you know, 588 00:24:51,300 --> 00:24:53,260 and I don't think if a child saw them they would know what they mean, 589 00:24:53,260 --> 00:24:53,500 and I don't think if a child saw but you would, you know. 590 00:24:53,500 --> 00:24:54,740 but you would, you know. 591 00:24:54,740 --> 00:24:56,180 Like a... 592 00:24:56,180 --> 00:24:59,460 ..a squirting water emoji or a peach emoji. 593 00:24:59,460 --> 00:25:01,700 I remember someone sending a message and asking her 594 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:03,940 to send, you know, different photos stretching, 595 00:25:03,940 --> 00:25:05,300 you know, the different dance stretches. 596 00:25:05,300 --> 00:25:05,540 you know, And then they started asking 597 00:25:05,540 --> 00:25:06,700 And then they started asking 598 00:25:06,700 --> 00:25:06,940 very peculiar...you know, And then they started asking 599 00:25:06,940 --> 00:25:09,300 very peculiar...you know, like, for very specific poses, 600 00:25:09,300 --> 00:25:09,540 very peculiar...you know, and I thought, "No." 601 00:25:09,540 --> 00:25:10,940 and I thought, "No." 602 00:25:10,940 --> 00:25:12,980 And that really... I was, like, really shocked. 603 00:25:13,940 --> 00:25:16,860 So, that's not Bobbi's account. 604 00:25:20,220 --> 00:25:24,020 Soon multiple fan accounts of Bobbi sprung up... 605 00:25:24,980 --> 00:25:29,260 ..some masquerading as her real Instagram profile. 606 00:25:31,980 --> 00:25:35,900 There were sexual comments all over the pages. 607 00:25:39,300 --> 00:25:42,620 Bobbi's image was being used on other websites too, 608 00:25:42,620 --> 00:25:46,380 with her face used to make sexualised images. 609 00:25:46,380 --> 00:25:52,260 All the original photos had been taken from Bobbi's Instagram account, 610 00:25:52,260 --> 00:25:54,060 which Kym had created. 611 00:25:57,900 --> 00:26:02,580 Do you think potentially you played a part in sexualising Bobbi? 612 00:26:02,580 --> 00:26:03,860 No. 613 00:26:03,860 --> 00:26:04,060 Do you watch the Olympics? No. 614 00:26:04,060 --> 00:26:06,380 Do you watch the Olympics? 615 00:26:06,380 --> 00:26:07,940 They do gymnastics. 616 00:26:07,940 --> 00:26:09,460 They do swimming. 617 00:26:10,420 --> 00:26:12,660 Bobbi a lot of the time is more covered than that. 618 00:26:12,660 --> 00:26:13,980 Do you go to a local beach 619 00:26:13,980 --> 00:26:16,860 where any person who walks past has access to her? 620 00:26:16,860 --> 00:26:19,340 Where anyone can be sitting there taking photos? 621 00:26:19,340 --> 00:26:22,140 Where anyone can be sitting there having inappropriate thoughts? 622 00:26:22,140 --> 00:26:22,380 Where anyone can be sitting there So, where do you draw the line? 623 00:26:22,380 --> 00:26:23,860 So, where do you draw the line? 624 00:26:23,860 --> 00:26:25,340 It's like telling a woman, 625 00:26:25,340 --> 00:26:25,580 "You shouldn't go out in public It's like telling a woman, 626 00:26:25,580 --> 00:26:27,220 "You shouldn't go out in public dressed like that 627 00:26:27,220 --> 00:26:27,460 "You shouldn't go out in public "because you could get raped." 628 00:26:27,460 --> 00:26:29,100 "because you could get raped." 629 00:26:29,100 --> 00:26:30,740 Why? 630 00:26:30,740 --> 00:26:30,980 That's teaching my daughter Why? 631 00:26:30,980 --> 00:26:33,660 That's teaching my daughter to feel ashamed 632 00:26:33,660 --> 00:26:36,780 and "Don't go out in public and don't show my talent." 633 00:26:36,780 --> 00:26:38,460 And I'm not responsible for other people 634 00:26:38,460 --> 00:26:40,980 having a judgement or opinion, that's their own business. 635 00:26:40,980 --> 00:26:43,220 I know what we're doing. Bobbi knows what we're doing. 636 00:26:43,220 --> 00:26:43,460 I know what we're doing. You know, she's safe, in my eyes. 637 00:26:43,460 --> 00:26:45,420 You know, she's safe, in my eyes. 638 00:26:46,940 --> 00:26:50,540 Kym complained about the copycat accounts to Instagram, 639 00:26:50,540 --> 00:26:52,500 asking for them to be taken down. 640 00:26:52,500 --> 00:26:55,460 Instagram has the right to delete accounts 641 00:26:55,460 --> 00:26:58,980 when it finds they're not abiding by the terms of use. 642 00:26:58,980 --> 00:27:02,460 But, soon after, Bobbi's actual account 643 00:27:02,460 --> 00:27:04,700 with hundreds and hundreds of posts 644 00:27:04,700 --> 00:27:07,260 was deleted by Instagram. 645 00:27:09,100 --> 00:27:11,980 I was upset. Like, it actually made me really upset, I think. 646 00:27:11,980 --> 00:27:14,220 Yeah, I was crying, like, I was, like... 647 00:27:14,220 --> 00:27:16,940 'Cause we had put so much work and time into it 648 00:27:16,940 --> 00:27:17,220 'Cause we had put so much work and time into it and I know that, like, I just loved that, 649 00:27:17,220 --> 00:27:19,180 and I know that, like, I just loved that, 650 00:27:19,180 --> 00:27:20,220 I just loved posting everything. 651 00:27:20,220 --> 00:27:22,980 And I just was really confused too. 652 00:27:25,300 --> 00:27:28,780 That was like the nail in the coffin. 653 00:27:28,780 --> 00:27:30,180 I'm like, "Are you kidding me?" 654 00:27:30,180 --> 00:27:31,740 And I just thought, 655 00:27:31,740 --> 00:27:35,940 "Here's a page that is absolutely not...it's totally fake, 656 00:27:35,940 --> 00:27:36,180 "Here's a page that is absolutely "it's not monitored. 657 00:27:36,180 --> 00:27:37,860 "it's not monitored. 658 00:27:37,860 --> 00:27:39,220 "THAT is allowed to stay open? 659 00:27:39,220 --> 00:27:41,660 "Yet, this page," you know, 660 00:27:41,660 --> 00:27:45,900 that was making her... you know, she had income, 661 00:27:45,900 --> 00:27:47,380 she had responsibilities, she had contract... 662 00:27:47,380 --> 00:27:47,620 she had responsibilities, We lost all of them. 663 00:27:47,620 --> 00:27:49,500 We lost all of them. 664 00:27:49,500 --> 00:27:52,660 And that's her whole career, and they just wiped it. 665 00:27:55,060 --> 00:27:58,180 Instagram owner, Meta, wouldn't respond to questions 666 00:27:58,180 --> 00:27:58,420 Instagram owner, Meta, about why it deleted Bobbi's account. 667 00:27:58,420 --> 00:28:00,900 about why it deleted Bobbi's account. 668 00:28:00,900 --> 00:28:04,900 But, after Four Corners asked the company about the copycat accounts, 669 00:28:04,900 --> 00:28:05,140 But, after Four Corners asked the it deleted some of them. 670 00:28:05,140 --> 00:28:07,540 it deleted some of them. 671 00:28:08,780 --> 00:28:10,740 Bobbi started her account again 672 00:28:10,740 --> 00:28:14,060 and now has about half the number of followers. 673 00:28:15,020 --> 00:28:16,660 Meta said: 674 00:28:26,180 --> 00:28:28,060 But most families we've spoken to 675 00:28:28,060 --> 00:28:28,300 say, often when they've reported But most families we've spoken to 676 00:28:28,300 --> 00:28:31,820 say, often when they've reported sexual content to Instagram, 677 00:28:31,820 --> 00:28:32,060 say, often when they've reported no action is taken. 678 00:28:32,060 --> 00:28:34,340 no action is taken. 679 00:28:35,980 --> 00:28:41,140 Not all kidfluencers are sexualised by users on Instagram, 680 00:28:41,140 --> 00:28:42,540 but our research has found 681 00:28:42,540 --> 00:28:45,980 there's a group of girls that are often targeted. 682 00:28:47,660 --> 00:28:52,660 There does seem to be a particular draw by these men 683 00:28:52,660 --> 00:28:56,020 to content featuring underage girls 684 00:28:56,020 --> 00:28:56,220 to content featuring underage girls in particular types of clothing. 685 00:28:56,220 --> 00:28:58,460 in particular types of clothing. 686 00:28:58,460 --> 00:29:02,140 So, swimwear, leotards, cheer wear. 687 00:29:03,100 --> 00:29:06,540 In fact, a look at Lyn Swanson Kennedy's account 688 00:29:06,540 --> 00:29:11,420 shows how Instagram is serving up these children to predators. 689 00:29:11,420 --> 00:29:15,060 I never have to look for these girls. 690 00:29:15,060 --> 00:29:17,940 I don't have to seek this content out. 691 00:29:17,940 --> 00:29:21,700 Essentially, I have a research account which I use, 692 00:29:21,700 --> 00:29:27,980 and I use it the way that a predator likely uses it 693 00:29:27,980 --> 00:29:32,260 and I follow around 1,600 underage girls. 694 00:29:32,260 --> 00:29:38,340 They are fed to me in an algorithm-driven gallery 695 00:29:38,340 --> 00:29:45,620 of more and more young girls, kidfluencers, mini models. 696 00:29:47,860 --> 00:29:51,460 When Four Corners began researching this program, 697 00:29:51,460 --> 00:29:54,260 after following just half a dozen girls 698 00:29:54,260 --> 00:29:57,900 the same thing happened to our search feed. 699 00:29:58,860 --> 00:30:01,980 Four Corners journalist Carla Hildebrandt 700 00:30:01,980 --> 00:30:03,220 has been investigating 701 00:30:03,220 --> 00:30:03,460 has been investigating the Instagram accounts of kidfluencers 702 00:30:03,460 --> 00:30:05,300 the Instagram accounts of kidfluencers 703 00:30:05,300 --> 00:30:05,540 the Instagram accounts for more than a year. 704 00:30:05,540 --> 00:30:07,180 for more than a year. 705 00:30:07,180 --> 00:30:07,420 CARLA HILDEBRANDT: So, you can for more than a year. 706 00:30:07,420 --> 00:30:09,660 CARLA HILDEBRANDT: So, you can see here are some of the comments 707 00:30:09,660 --> 00:30:11,980 from accounts that seem to be from men. 708 00:30:11,980 --> 00:30:12,220 from accounts The Seductress, 709 00:30:12,220 --> 00:30:14,820 The Seductress, 710 00:30:14,820 --> 00:30:19,140 and, "Your best stuff was always slow and sensual." 711 00:30:21,140 --> 00:30:24,380 And there are many more disturbing comments. 712 00:30:28,380 --> 00:30:30,420 As well as public comments, 713 00:30:30,420 --> 00:30:30,660 some kidfluencers are bombarded As well as public comments, 714 00:30:30,660 --> 00:30:34,500 some kidfluencers are bombarded with private messages. 715 00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:38,380 So, one parent of a nine-year-old child influencer 716 00:30:38,380 --> 00:30:42,300 has given us some of the messages her daughter's received. 717 00:30:43,260 --> 00:30:47,180 He is a user saying they want to do a tribute. 718 00:30:47,180 --> 00:30:50,700 So, that means ejaculating on a photo of the girl. 719 00:30:50,700 --> 00:30:50,940 So, that means And there's more. 720 00:30:50,940 --> 00:30:52,860 And there's more. 721 00:31:00,980 --> 00:31:03,300 So, how did this mother deal with this? 722 00:31:03,300 --> 00:31:03,580 So, how did this mother deal with this? Well, she said she'd report it to Instagram, 723 00:31:03,580 --> 00:31:05,900 Well, she said she'd report it to Instagram, 724 00:31:05,900 --> 00:31:08,580 but there were times Instagram wouldn't investigate. 725 00:31:10,300 --> 00:31:11,340 (READS) 726 00:31:20,500 --> 00:31:22,380 It gets much worse. 727 00:31:22,380 --> 00:31:22,620 So, I've found fake porn It gets much worse. 728 00:31:22,620 --> 00:31:26,900 So, I've found fake porn using the kids' faces. 729 00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:28,340 And... 730 00:31:28,340 --> 00:31:31,220 Yeah, the intense obsession they have with these girls 731 00:31:31,220 --> 00:31:31,460 Yeah, the intense obsession is frightening. 732 00:31:31,460 --> 00:31:32,620 is frightening. 733 00:31:35,980 --> 00:31:38,700 Carla's discovered encrypted chat channels 734 00:31:38,700 --> 00:31:43,260 where groups of men lust over their favourite child influencers 735 00:31:43,260 --> 00:31:45,860 after scraping the photos off Instagram 736 00:31:45,860 --> 00:31:46,100 after scraping the photos and other social-media sites. 737 00:31:46,100 --> 00:31:48,340 and other social-media sites. 738 00:31:48,340 --> 00:31:54,180 There are also photos of them masturbating to images of the girls. 739 00:31:54,180 --> 00:31:58,740 So, this is one conversation which has over 150 members 740 00:31:58,740 --> 00:32:01,620 dedicated to a 15-year-old US influencer. 741 00:32:11,780 --> 00:32:13,700 So, in this other chat, 742 00:32:13,700 --> 00:32:17,900 they share violent fantasies about stalking a girl home from school, 743 00:32:17,900 --> 00:32:19,540 abducting and raping her. 744 00:32:19,540 --> 00:32:21,460 And this is a kidfluencer? 745 00:32:21,460 --> 00:32:23,060 Yeah. 746 00:32:23,060 --> 00:32:27,300 And I found similar content about Australian child influencers. 747 00:32:32,820 --> 00:32:36,380 We're not going to put our kids in short shorts and midriff tops 748 00:32:36,380 --> 00:32:40,500 on a dark street corner in King's Cross in the middle of the night 749 00:32:40,500 --> 00:32:40,780 on a dark street corner in King's Cross in the middle of the night to see what kind of response they get from young men, 750 00:32:40,780 --> 00:32:43,820 to see what kind of response they get from young men, 751 00:32:43,820 --> 00:32:46,340 but we're doing the same in the online world 752 00:32:46,340 --> 00:32:49,340 where there are literally millions of people. 753 00:32:49,340 --> 00:32:53,420 But we seem to think that there's a degree of safety 754 00:32:53,420 --> 00:32:55,060 because they're online, 755 00:32:55,060 --> 00:32:57,140 but there's just a different kind of harm. 756 00:32:58,420 --> 00:33:02,460 The harm isn't just limited to the online world. 757 00:33:02,460 --> 00:33:04,220 NEWS PRESENTER: She's a 15-year-old... 758 00:33:04,220 --> 00:33:09,580 In the US, Ava Majury had garnered a following of one million people 759 00:33:09,580 --> 00:33:12,860 when one of her fans began stalking her. 760 00:33:12,860 --> 00:33:15,540 NEWS PRESENTER: There's been a gunfight at someone's home... 761 00:33:15,540 --> 00:33:15,820 Her stalker was an 18-year-old young man, NEWS PRESENTER: There's been a gunfight at someone's home... 762 00:33:15,820 --> 00:33:19,180 Her stalker was an 18-year-old young man, 763 00:33:19,180 --> 00:33:19,420 Her stalker was an 18-year-old young man, and he followed her on social media 764 00:33:19,420 --> 00:33:21,700 and he followed her on social media 765 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:24,300 and, uh... 766 00:33:24,300 --> 00:33:25,900 ..became obsessed with her. 767 00:33:25,900 --> 00:33:29,300 When he tried to break into the family's home, 768 00:33:29,300 --> 00:33:29,540 When he tried Ava's father shot him dead. 769 00:33:29,540 --> 00:33:31,580 Ava's father shot him dead. 770 00:33:31,580 --> 00:33:34,380 I reacted, and I reacted... 771 00:33:34,380 --> 00:33:35,180 Perfectly. 772 00:33:35,180 --> 00:33:36,860 ..as best as I could. 773 00:33:36,860 --> 00:33:42,220 This would be the pinnacle of fears coming to reality. 774 00:33:43,580 --> 00:33:46,620 Some companies appear to be benefiting 775 00:33:46,620 --> 00:33:46,860 Some companies from the predatory behaviour. 776 00:33:46,860 --> 00:33:48,780 from the predatory behaviour. 777 00:33:49,940 --> 00:33:52,820 Several platforms, including Instagram, 778 00:33:52,820 --> 00:33:54,060 are allowing parents 779 00:33:54,060 --> 00:33:59,180 to sell exclusive videos and photos of their children. 780 00:33:59,180 --> 00:33:59,420 to sell exclusive videos and photos (UP-BEAT MUSIC PLAYS) 781 00:33:59,420 --> 00:34:02,260 (UP-BEAT MUSIC PLAYS) 782 00:34:02,260 --> 00:34:04,180 BrandArmy is one. 783 00:34:05,540 --> 00:34:07,180 Similar to OnlyFans, 784 00:34:07,180 --> 00:34:09,900 it's a subscriber-based site 785 00:34:09,900 --> 00:34:11,620 that allows people to pay creators 786 00:34:11,620 --> 00:34:12,900 in exchange for accessing 787 00:34:12,900 --> 00:34:14,580 their content, 788 00:34:14,580 --> 00:34:17,540 but there's no nudity or sex. 789 00:34:17,540 --> 00:34:18,580 (DANCE MUSIC PLAYS) 790 00:34:18,580 --> 00:34:20,980 At this pre-launch party in LA 791 00:34:20,980 --> 00:34:25,420 BrandArmy was promoting both its adult and child creators. 792 00:34:27,820 --> 00:34:28,900 Think about it - 793 00:34:28,900 --> 00:34:32,620 who on earth wants to pay 794 00:34:32,620 --> 00:34:35,300 for content featuring children? 795 00:34:36,260 --> 00:34:41,300 Four Corners has found dozens of teenagers with accounts on BrandArmy, 796 00:34:41,300 --> 00:34:45,500 with some charging $100 a month to subscribe. 797 00:34:45,500 --> 00:34:48,340 CARLA HILDEBRANDT: So, here's this influencer from the US. 798 00:34:48,340 --> 00:34:49,980 She's a young teenager, 799 00:34:49,980 --> 00:34:53,420 and there's a number of photos of her in a string bikini. 800 00:34:54,380 --> 00:34:59,020 Oh, wow. OK. So, she's really very young. 801 00:34:59,020 --> 00:35:01,540 And that bikini, as you say, it's a string bikini 802 00:35:01,540 --> 00:35:01,780 And that bikini, as you say, and she's pouting at the camera. 803 00:35:01,780 --> 00:35:05,060 and she's pouting at the camera. 804 00:35:05,060 --> 00:35:06,540 The photo, the way it's set up, 805 00:35:06,540 --> 00:35:10,100 it's more like how you would imagine an adult model would pose. 806 00:35:10,100 --> 00:35:12,020 It's... It's not how you would think 807 00:35:12,020 --> 00:35:14,100 that a young girl would pose. 808 00:35:14,100 --> 00:35:18,620 And, so, you can see here the person running her account has commented. 809 00:35:19,820 --> 00:35:23,540 People are paying up to $100 to access her account, 810 00:35:23,540 --> 00:35:26,900 and there's the option to pay more for extra photos. 811 00:35:26,900 --> 00:35:32,300 So, here you can pay $40 for more bikini shots. 812 00:35:32,300 --> 00:35:32,540 I know for a fact So, here you can pay $40 for more bikini shots. 813 00:35:32,540 --> 00:35:34,020 I know for a fact 814 00:35:34,020 --> 00:35:39,380 that there are many parents who know exactly what's going on, 815 00:35:39,380 --> 00:35:39,620 that there are many parents who know exactly what's going on, and they wilfully turn a blind eye, 816 00:35:39,620 --> 00:35:43,700 and they wilfully turn a blind eye, 817 00:35:43,700 --> 00:35:47,820 justifying the means by the ends, whether it's fame or profit. 818 00:35:49,460 --> 00:35:51,100 And I found Australian girls 819 00:35:51,100 --> 00:35:54,020 who have parent-run accounts on BrandArmy. 820 00:35:54,020 --> 00:35:54,260 who have parent-run accounts So, this is Australian kids 821 00:35:54,260 --> 00:35:56,500 So, this is Australian kids 822 00:35:56,500 --> 00:35:59,420 getting payment for content that they're putting on this site? 823 00:35:59,420 --> 00:35:59,660 getting payment for content This girl - 824 00:35:59,660 --> 00:36:01,060 This girl - 825 00:36:01,060 --> 00:36:05,820 for $30 a month, subscribers get exclusive pictures and videos 826 00:36:05,820 --> 00:36:08,140 and behind-the-scenes content, 827 00:36:08,140 --> 00:36:12,380 and they can also talk to her privately for a fee per message. 828 00:36:15,340 --> 00:36:18,220 Many of the photos of the young teenager 829 00:36:18,220 --> 00:36:21,460 are in tight clothes or midriff tops. 830 00:36:21,460 --> 00:36:26,020 Hundreds of photos are available from her parent-run account. 831 00:36:28,460 --> 00:36:32,820 In a bizarre list of terms and conditions for junior creators, 832 00:36:32,820 --> 00:36:37,660 BrandArmy has said there can't be more than 50% bikini content 833 00:36:37,660 --> 00:36:37,900 on kids' channels. can't be more than 50% bikini content 834 00:36:37,900 --> 00:36:39,780 on kids' channels. 835 00:36:39,780 --> 00:36:44,300 You also must be over 18 to look at it. 836 00:36:45,740 --> 00:36:48,580 I wouldn't mind showing you one of these accounts, if that's OK. 837 00:36:48,580 --> 00:36:48,820 I wouldn't mind showing you It's of an Australian girl. 838 00:36:48,820 --> 00:36:50,100 It's of an Australian girl. 839 00:36:50,100 --> 00:36:52,820 If you just flick through there, you can see. 840 00:36:55,700 --> 00:36:57,060 Gross. 841 00:36:58,020 --> 00:36:59,820 This is a child. 842 00:37:02,460 --> 00:37:06,260 This is selling and commodifying 843 00:37:06,260 --> 00:37:08,660 your child's innocence. 844 00:37:08,660 --> 00:37:13,140 And we're never going to be able to sterilise the internet. 845 00:37:13,140 --> 00:37:18,260 These images will follow this young woman throughout her life. 846 00:37:24,620 --> 00:37:30,940 We've found at least 10 accounts that have similar content on BrandArmy. 847 00:37:30,940 --> 00:37:33,860 When Four Corners alerted the company, 848 00:37:33,860 --> 00:37:36,740 it removed some of the material. 849 00:37:36,740 --> 00:37:39,220 BrandArmy has stopped signing up new kids, 850 00:37:39,220 --> 00:37:42,700 but the existing accounts are still active. 851 00:37:44,420 --> 00:37:48,780 Instagram also says it's stopping paid content of children, 852 00:37:48,780 --> 00:37:52,460 but Four Corners is aware of some child-influencer accounts 853 00:37:52,460 --> 00:37:57,140 that are still charging for photos and videos. 854 00:37:57,140 --> 00:37:57,420 We need the platforms to be taking more responsibility. that are still charging for photos and videos. 855 00:37:57,420 --> 00:38:02,340 We need the platforms to be taking more responsibility. 856 00:38:02,340 --> 00:38:02,580 We need the platforms They're creating the hunting grounds 857 00:38:02,580 --> 00:38:04,260 They're creating the hunting grounds 858 00:38:04,260 --> 00:38:04,460 They're creating the hunting grounds on which these paedophiles 859 00:38:04,460 --> 00:38:06,060 on which these paedophiles 860 00:38:06,060 --> 00:38:09,300 are seeking out and sexualising our children 861 00:38:09,300 --> 00:38:12,260 and, worse, grooming and exploiting them. 862 00:38:13,500 --> 00:38:15,860 According to US court documents, 863 00:38:15,860 --> 00:38:19,860 Meta estimates that about 100,000 children 864 00:38:19,860 --> 00:38:21,580 using Facebook and Instagram 865 00:38:21,580 --> 00:38:25,300 receive online sexual harassment every day. 866 00:38:26,700 --> 00:38:29,300 They're all driven by profit motive, 867 00:38:29,300 --> 00:38:31,500 and sex has always sold. 868 00:38:32,460 --> 00:38:36,740 They have the ability to detect sexualised comments, 869 00:38:36,740 --> 00:38:41,020 but, the more explicit the imagery of the young people, 870 00:38:41,020 --> 00:38:43,740 the more attention they get, the more likes they get, 871 00:38:43,740 --> 00:38:43,980 the more attention they get, the more dollars they get. 872 00:38:43,980 --> 00:38:45,860 the more dollars they get. 873 00:38:45,860 --> 00:38:48,340 So, there is a real perverse incentive 874 00:38:48,340 --> 00:38:51,660 even in the way social-media companies are structured 875 00:38:51,660 --> 00:38:51,900 even in the way social-media and the way that influencers 876 00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:54,540 and the way that influencers 877 00:38:54,540 --> 00:38:57,100 or the parents who are influencing their children 878 00:38:57,100 --> 00:38:57,340 or the parents are incentivised 879 00:38:57,340 --> 00:38:58,780 are incentivised 880 00:38:58,780 --> 00:39:02,580 and monetise that engagement online. 881 00:39:03,540 --> 00:39:05,460 Meta said: 882 00:39:14,860 --> 00:39:16,060 It says: 883 00:39:22,100 --> 00:39:27,260 Making sexual comments online and generating sexual images of children 884 00:39:27,260 --> 00:39:30,580 can be a criminal offence in Australia. 885 00:39:30,580 --> 00:39:35,540 HELEN SCHNEIDER: It could include an AI-generated image or a real photo. 886 00:39:35,540 --> 00:39:35,780 It also includes text stories, HELEN SCHNEIDER: It could include an AI-generated image or a real photo. 887 00:39:35,780 --> 00:39:37,460 It also includes text stories, 888 00:39:37,460 --> 00:39:39,100 and what I mean by that, 889 00:39:39,100 --> 00:39:39,340 if people are having and what I mean by that, 890 00:39:39,340 --> 00:39:42,620 if people are having sexualised conversations, 891 00:39:42,620 --> 00:39:42,860 if people are having sexualised conversations, you know, about an image, 892 00:39:42,860 --> 00:39:44,420 you know, about an image, 893 00:39:44,420 --> 00:39:46,180 then of course there is a risk, 894 00:39:46,180 --> 00:39:50,260 that could hit a legal threshold of what is child-abuse material. 895 00:39:50,260 --> 00:39:52,940 We all need to look at those on a case-by-case basis. 896 00:39:56,340 --> 00:39:59,780 But Kym and Zoe say, despite complaining to state police 897 00:39:59,780 --> 00:40:02,060 about their daughters being targeted, 898 00:40:02,060 --> 00:40:02,300 about their daughters they were told nothing could be done. 899 00:40:02,300 --> 00:40:05,100 they were told nothing could be done. 900 00:40:05,100 --> 00:40:06,340 At the moment 901 00:40:06,340 --> 00:40:09,900 the eSafety Commissioner can only issue takedown notices 902 00:40:09,900 --> 00:40:11,140 to online companies 903 00:40:11,140 --> 00:40:14,060 about clear cases of child sex abuse. 904 00:40:15,500 --> 00:40:17,340 We don't have the powers we need 905 00:40:17,340 --> 00:40:17,580 to tackle the harms We don't have the powers we need 906 00:40:17,580 --> 00:40:20,660 to tackle the harms that are happening right now. 907 00:40:21,620 --> 00:40:25,140 So, specifically around the sexualisation of children online 908 00:40:25,140 --> 00:40:25,380 So, specifically around and I guess this grey area, 909 00:40:25,380 --> 00:40:27,100 and I guess this grey area, 910 00:40:27,100 --> 00:40:27,340 would you like to see and I guess this grey area, 911 00:40:27,340 --> 00:40:29,740 would you like to see the act expanded? 912 00:40:29,740 --> 00:40:32,260 I think it's something that we should look at. 913 00:40:32,260 --> 00:40:33,620 It needs to be something 914 00:40:33,620 --> 00:40:33,860 that's effective, implementable It needs to be something 915 00:40:33,860 --> 00:40:36,660 that's effective, implementable and achievable. 916 00:40:36,660 --> 00:40:40,060 I mean, there may even be criminal elements to this 917 00:40:40,060 --> 00:40:44,860 if a parent or an adult is exploiting a child 918 00:40:44,860 --> 00:40:49,300 to the extent that it's putting them in harm's way. 919 00:40:49,300 --> 00:40:50,260 Um... 920 00:40:50,260 --> 00:40:53,740 Is just a banning of that adult enough 921 00:40:53,740 --> 00:40:56,340 or is there a dereliction of parental duty? 922 00:40:56,340 --> 00:40:59,380 I think these are all things we need to talk about, 923 00:40:59,380 --> 00:41:01,860 and we do need to draw a line somewhere. 924 00:41:02,820 --> 00:41:04,660 And then put it on that flat end. 925 00:41:05,820 --> 00:41:07,620 And now cut it in half. 926 00:41:07,620 --> 00:41:11,700 Kym says she did everything she could to protect Bobbi. 927 00:41:11,700 --> 00:41:14,220 Use the kind of end of the knife. That's a girl. 928 00:41:15,060 --> 00:41:17,580 Do you feel like your mum kept you safe online? 929 00:41:17,580 --> 00:41:17,820 Do you feel BOBBI: Oh, like, 100%. 930 00:41:17,820 --> 00:41:19,700 BOBBI: Oh, like, 100%. 931 00:41:19,700 --> 00:41:22,860 She'd be, like, blocking people, she would delete the comments 932 00:41:22,860 --> 00:41:24,540 and she never made a big thing out of it. 933 00:41:24,540 --> 00:41:24,780 and she never made a big thing Oh, my God, my eyes. 934 00:41:24,780 --> 00:41:25,820 Oh, my God, my eyes. 935 00:41:25,820 --> 00:41:30,020 Like, I never would even know about this stuff. 936 00:41:31,100 --> 00:41:33,340 Oh, dear. I could have a bath in that. 937 00:41:33,340 --> 00:41:35,060 My mum put so much time and effort in, 938 00:41:35,060 --> 00:41:35,300 My mum put so much so, I think I'm really grateful 939 00:41:35,300 --> 00:41:37,700 so, I think I'm really grateful 940 00:41:37,700 --> 00:41:40,580 that she got it to the point that it was. 941 00:41:40,580 --> 00:41:42,220 A little bit more. Ohh! 942 00:41:42,220 --> 00:41:44,860 Do you feel that this account and being a kidfluencer, 943 00:41:44,860 --> 00:41:45,100 Do you feel that this account has that set you up for your future? 944 00:41:45,100 --> 00:41:46,500 has that set you up for your future? 945 00:41:46,500 --> 00:41:46,740 Yeah, I know that it actually has that set you up for your future? 946 00:41:46,740 --> 00:41:51,820 Yeah, I know that it actually really has, um...helped almost 947 00:41:51,820 --> 00:41:54,380 because I do have a larger following. 948 00:41:54,380 --> 00:41:54,620 because I do have And in the dance industry 949 00:41:54,620 --> 00:41:56,500 And in the dance industry 950 00:41:56,500 --> 00:41:59,580 it is, I think even just in most industries, 951 00:41:59,580 --> 00:42:00,660 like, um... 952 00:42:00,660 --> 00:42:03,460 ..like, social media is a really important part of it. 953 00:42:03,460 --> 00:42:05,500 And I think it's actually really helped me 954 00:42:05,500 --> 00:42:05,740 And I think get out there and be noticed. 955 00:42:05,740 --> 00:42:07,020 get out there and be noticed. 956 00:42:10,140 --> 00:42:12,340 Hi, guys. It's Ava. 957 00:42:12,340 --> 00:42:14,820 Welcome back to the live that I'm going to do. 958 00:42:14,820 --> 00:42:16,140 Zoe says she too 959 00:42:16,140 --> 00:42:16,380 has been doing everything she can Zoe says she too 960 00:42:16,380 --> 00:42:20,260 has been doing everything she can to keep her daughter safe. 961 00:42:20,260 --> 00:42:20,500 has been doing everything she can At the end of the day, 962 00:42:20,500 --> 00:42:21,740 At the end of the day, 963 00:42:21,740 --> 00:42:25,380 she's decided the positives Ava gets out of social media 964 00:42:25,380 --> 00:42:26,860 outweigh the risks. 965 00:42:27,820 --> 00:42:31,380 Do you think there's a chance Ava could look back on this one day 966 00:42:31,380 --> 00:42:31,620 Do you think there's a chance Ava and regret it? 967 00:42:31,620 --> 00:42:33,300 and regret it? 968 00:42:33,300 --> 00:42:34,620 She may. She may not. 969 00:42:34,620 --> 00:42:36,340 I don't think she'll regret it. 970 00:42:36,340 --> 00:42:38,460 She may come to a point in her time where she says, 971 00:42:38,460 --> 00:42:41,020 "Mum, I've had enough. I don't want to do it." 972 00:42:41,020 --> 00:42:42,060 Um... 973 00:42:42,060 --> 00:42:44,940 You know, "Let's not do it anymore," or "Let's," you know... 974 00:42:44,940 --> 00:42:48,180 And that's completely fine, that's...that's her choice. 975 00:42:48,180 --> 00:42:48,420 And that's completely fine, (WAVES CRASH) 976 00:42:48,420 --> 00:42:51,340 (WAVES CRASH) 977 00:42:57,900 --> 00:43:02,780 These kids are going where no generation has gone before. 978 00:43:02,780 --> 00:43:04,940 PHOTOGRAPHER: Oh, you're doing well. 979 00:43:04,940 --> 00:43:06,700 Yeah. You're doing good. 980 00:43:06,700 --> 00:43:10,780 The repercussions of having such a big social-media profile 981 00:43:10,780 --> 00:43:11,020 The repercussions of having are yet to be fully known. 982 00:43:11,020 --> 00:43:13,420 are yet to be fully known. 983 00:43:13,420 --> 00:43:18,900 But, for others, it's clear it's already come at a cost. 984 00:43:20,180 --> 00:43:22,700 LYN SWANSON KENNEDY: I am horrified 985 00:43:22,700 --> 00:43:26,420 that as a society, as a community, 986 00:43:26,420 --> 00:43:28,780 we have failed these girls, 987 00:43:28,780 --> 00:43:30,260 and I suspect 988 00:43:30,260 --> 00:43:33,060 they will in many cases be wondering, 989 00:43:33,060 --> 00:43:33,300 they will in many cases "Where are the adults?" 990 00:43:33,300 --> 00:43:35,300 "Where are the adults?" 991 00:43:35,300 --> 00:43:39,700 "Where were the adults that were supposed to protect me? 992 00:43:39,700 --> 00:43:41,540 "And why didn't they?" 993 00:43:46,740 --> 00:43:49,820 JULIE INMAN GRANT: We're creating imagery 994 00:43:49,820 --> 00:43:53,500 that will pervade and follow them forever. 995 00:43:56,420 --> 00:43:58,420 Many of these children 996 00:43:58,420 --> 00:44:00,900 may not have agency, they may not have consent. 997 00:44:00,900 --> 00:44:04,100 They certainly don't have the cognitive development 998 00:44:04,100 --> 00:44:05,340 to know what this means, 999 00:44:05,340 --> 00:44:09,020 what they're doing today, what this might mean for them tomorrow. 1000 00:44:17,420 --> 00:44:19,460 (THEME MUSIC PLAYS) 1001 00:44:34,540 --> 00:44:36,540 Captions by Red Bee Media 1002 00:44:36,540 --> 00:44:36,780 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation Captions by Red Bee Media 1003 00:44:36,780 --> 00:44:38,740 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation