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(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)
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(PULSATING MUSIC PLAYS)
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(PULSATING MUSIC PLAYS)
JESSICA LONGBOTTOM:
It's the age of influencers,
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JESSICA LONGBOTTOM:
It's the age of influencers,
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and Australian kids
are getting on board.
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It just blew up. People were just
sharing it, and I thought, "Wow!"
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Encouraged by parents,
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they're filling social-media feeds
and vying to be the next big thing...
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They are more authentic, more real.
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..selling everything
They are more authentic, more real.
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..selling everything
from make-up to high fashion...
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..selling everything
Oh, my gosh!
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Oh, my gosh!
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..they're reaching
millions of people.
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So, first we've got
the viral TikTok skincare headband.
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The most famous make
tens of millions of dollars a year.
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ZOE: She's her own brand now,
I think.
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ZOE: She's her own brand now,
AVA: I want to be famous
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AVA: I want to be famous
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'cause I feel like I can keep going
and then I will never stop.
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But behind the glitz and glamour
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there are growing concerns
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about who is really benefiting
there are growing concerns
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about who is really benefiting
from this new breed of child star.
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JULIE INMAN GRANT: We're promoting
this imagery and we're glorifying it
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JULIE INMAN GRANT: We're promoting
and we're commodifying it.
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and we're commodifying it.
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People are profiting from this.
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And can kids really consent?
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Do you ever feel like you were forced
to do anything you didn't want to do?
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No. I wanted to start up
the account.
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This is her career, so, how else
do you put her out there?
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No matter how well-meaning
the parents,
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they can't always control
who's watching.
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It is clear that offenders
will obviously gravitate
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to victims
that are easier to access.
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ZOE:
The first time I ever received one
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ZOE:
I felt sick to my stomach.
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I felt sick to my stomach.
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We're not going to put our kids
in short shorts and midriff tops
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on a dark street corner
in King's Cross,
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but we're doing the same
in the online world.
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If you just flick through there,
you can see.
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Gross.
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This is a child.
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Oh, wow. OK. So, she's very young.
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In this Four Corners
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we delve into the unregulated world
of child influencers.
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While some parents
hope it's setting their kids up
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for the career of a lifetime,
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we've found they're often exposed
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to a dark side,
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and the companies
that stand to benefit
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aren't doing enough
to keep them safe.
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GROUP: One!
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Two!
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Three!
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Four!
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Five!
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Inside a warehouse in South Australia
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these cheerleaders
are preparing for competition.
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these cheerleaders
(GROUP YELLS ENCOURAGEMENT)
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(GROUP YELLS ENCOURAGEMENT)
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(HI-ENERGY MUSIC PLAYS)
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GROUP: Go, Ava!
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(GROUP CHEERS)
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10-year-old Ava spends at least three
(GROUP CHEERS)
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10-year-old Ava spends at least three
hours a night, four days a week here
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10-year-old Ava spends at least three
training to be the best.
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training to be the best.
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And one.
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Ohh! (LAUGHS)
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As the flyer - the person
who gets thrown high in the air -
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As the flyer - the person
she loves being centre stage.
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she loves being centre stage.
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COACH: Just try it one more time.
Just have confidence.
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When you fly,
you've got to go up first.
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ZOE: Ava's a big personality
in a little person's body.
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She's very, very active,
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so, she loves cheerleading
and dance.
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And she's got goals.
She's got aspirations.
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She just loves to perform
for other people. Always.
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She sees a camera or anything,
she's keen, she's ready.
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Ava performs for tens of thousands
of people around the world
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through her Instagram channel.
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We're in COVID in lockdown
through school,
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like, we couldn't go
anywhere,
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and started with the beach
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and taking some shots
in some new dresses
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and it all sort of blew up
from there.
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and it all sort of blew up
Hello, hello, hello.
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Hello, hello, hello.
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Ha!
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SONG: # Let's get married in Vegas
We don't need a guest list
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SONG: # Let's get married in Vegas
# I don't wanna think too much... #
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# I don't wanna think too much... #
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Ava has had the account
since she was eight,
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using it to show off her modelling,
acrobatic and dance skills.
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AVA: I think my first ever video
was Science At Home,
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and I got, like,
more views and more followers.
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So, it went
to, like, 1,000
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to, like, 2,000
in, like, two nights.
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So, I was pretty happy
about that.
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So, I was pretty happy
SONG: # You're so beautiful
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SONG: # You're so beautiful
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# I think it's time
SONG: # You're so beautiful
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# I think it's time
for the world to see... #
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# I think it's time
Now, with more than 14,000 followers,
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Now, with more than 14,000 followers,
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she's joining
the multitudes of children worldwide
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she's joining
trying to be influencers,
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trying to be influencers,
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also known as 'kidfluencers'.
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Nice, big smiles.
(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK)
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Nice, big smiles.
# Every time you smile
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# Every time you smile
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# Breaking hearts
You don't know you do
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# They say, "Ooh-la-la!"
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# Looking in your eyes
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# Marilyn's got nothing on you... #
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Child influencers can make money
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through collaborations with brands,
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views on their videos
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and paid subscriptions
views on their videos
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and paid subscriptions
to their channels.
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It's the best face wash out there.
You NEED to get it.
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They use sites
like YouTube and TikTok,
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but the platform of choice for many
brands using influencers in Australia
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is Instagram.
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Ava's promoted all sorts of products,
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from fairy floss
to online reading tools and stamps.
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So, I got the pink one.
It's just, like, a normal ponytail.
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Got the braided ponytail
and another braided ponytail.
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And she has quite the collection
of free stuff
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sent to her
in exchange for her promotion.
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Then I have my dresses
that I also got for free,
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and my favourite one
is probably this one.
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Oh, I got this one for free.
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So, I got this.
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And...
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..my hairbrush is somewhere.
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How does having 14,000 followers
make you feel?
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It feels good 'cause
when people see my followers,
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they want to, like,
collab with me and...
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they want to, like,
Like, I think I hit, like, 13,
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Like, I think I hit, like, 13,
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and then people started sending
more stuff.
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OK. Ready.
Alright, you got it?
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Alright, go.
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Ava and her mum
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have even taken to promoting products
that they've paid for
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in the hope
it'll be reposted by the company
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in the hope
it'll be reposted by the company
and grow her following.
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and grow her following.
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Children under 13 aren't able
to have their own Instagram accounts,
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so, Ava is only allowed
to have this online profile
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so, Ava is only allowed
because it's run by Zoe.
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because it's run by Zoe.
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So, who does the posting?
Is it you or Ava?
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So, who does the posting?
Ava makes a lot of her own.
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Ava makes a lot of her own.
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She'll do a lot of the ones
Ava makes a lot of her own.
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She'll do a lot of the ones
where she's, like, dancing.
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Can you come and check this
before I post it?
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As for, like, the marketing side
of things and that,
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As for, like, the marketing side
I'll do pretty much all of that.
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I'll do pretty much all of that.
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That one...
I'll do pretty much all of that.
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That one...
Yeah, that's a bit...
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That's alright, isn't it?
Yeah.
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Yeah? The song's pretty cool.
SONG: # We lay out late
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Yeah? The song's pretty cool.
(SINGS) # Underneath the pines
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(SINGS) # Underneath the pines
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# Still have fun
(SINGS) # Underneath the pines
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# Still have fun
when the sun won't shine. #
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One reason Zoe is encouraging
Ava's growing stardom
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is to open up her options
for the future.
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When she was in Year 1 at school
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she was diagnosed with
a severe receptive language disorder
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she was diagnosed with
and ADHD.
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and ADHD.
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So, she finds reading and writing
and ADHD.
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So, she finds reading and writing
quite difficult
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So, she finds reading and writing
as well as being dyslexic.
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as well as being dyslexic.
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I think Instagram
has helped with that as well,
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like, it's really helped
to boost her confidence a bit.
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So, some people might have the image
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of a mum making a child do something
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they don't really want to do.
Yep. Yep.
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Is that what's happening here
with Ava?
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Nuh.
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You've seen Ava. (LAUGHS)
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She's very much
got her own personality.
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PHOTOGRAPHER:
(LAUGHS) Where's your muscles, Ava?
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Sometimes she tells me how it is.
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Cute!
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She's her own brand now, I think.
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It's taking her down
She's her own brand now, I think.
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It's taking her down
a whole other avenue, I think. Yeah.
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Do you think she does have
the ability to consent to all this
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and to be putting
this material online?
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and to be putting
Um...
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Um...
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I don't think...
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..any child, you know...
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..can consent,
to a degree.
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Like, that's why we have parents
that advocate for them.
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But, at the end of the day,
you know,
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we're looking at the dangers and the
risks associated with Ava posting.
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we're looking at the dangers and the
(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK)
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(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK)
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(BIRDS SQUAWK)
(ENGINE RUMBLES)
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Ava is making a big income
for a 10-year-old.
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On top of the free stuff
she receives from brands
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Zoe says she earns
up to $500 a month
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through donations and subscriptions
from her followers.
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Zoe says Ava gets to keep the money.
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Do you know who her subscribers are?
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Um... Nope.
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No.
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Do you wonder
why they're subscribing to see Ava?
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Um... Yeah, I have wondered that.
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Um...
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But then why do they...
why do people subscribe
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to the other hundreds of thousands
of people on Instagram
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to the other hundreds of thousands
or any other platform?
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or any other platform?
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Ava's growing following has made
her parents take precautions
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that they don't take
with their other children.
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She's not allowed to catch at all,
like, the bus to school on her own.
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We don't just send her off to
the shops down the end of the street
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to go and get, you know, milk
when we run out.
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We don't let her go to the park
by herself.
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We don't let her go to the park
I think...
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I think...
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..it's just, you know, um...
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..a bit more riskier with...
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..Ava being
on a social, um...platform.
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Yeah.
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Online, Ava has attracted
unwanted attention.
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As well as sexual comments
being made on her Instagram page
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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