In December 2024, The New York Times released the fifth article in an ongoing series investigating child influencers and the troubling online world that sexualizes them, sometimes with the consent of their own parents, who seek money or fame. Entitled “The Men Who Use Instagram to Groom Child Influencers”, the authors describe snippets of child influencers’ stories, explaining how they were sexualized at young ages, sometimes as young as 11 or 12 years old, by men at least four times their age. ---. “The Men Who Use Instagram to Groom Child Influencers.” The New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/child-influencers-photographers-abuse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.104.c1o9._KWxu7J9zx9g&.Copy
Childhood for Clicks
One such story is that of a 12-year-old girl, whose name is not disclosed. Her mother runs her Instagram account and exchanges photos of her daughter in sexually provocative positions for money. The article depicts a disturbing scene in a Louisiana Airbnb, where a young girl, accompanied by her mother, is being photographed in suggestive poses by a “professional” photographer with the guidance of her mother. Images of her “barely” covered genitals were sold to older men in exchange for thousands of dollars. A rare example of justice served for these young girls, both the photographer and the mother were persecuted for their actions.
In Plain Sight: Abuse Behind the Lens
The article goes on to describe that these men can be “brand managers”, model agents, or photographers, or at least claim to be, and they are full of promises to boost children’s followings and earn them money or fame. A common technique used by groomers on Instagram is to begin by asking parents to purchase additional photos not featured on the account. It seems like safe, easy money at first, but the request can progressively become more lewd as the payout gets bigger and the promises of fame get grander. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/child-influencers-photographers-abuse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.104.c1o9._KWxu7J9zx9g&.Copy Fame and fortune cloud the judgment of parents and girls as the groomers gain trust and even try to build romantic connections with the family or the girls.
Tragically, some of these men taking or soliciting photos carry multiple accusations of pedophilia or are convicted of sex crimes. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/child-influencers-photographers-abuse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.104.c1o9._KWxu7J9zx9g&.Copy Time and again, parents and victims voice their frustration and concern about how so many of these men remain active in the photography and social media industry despite the allegations against them. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/child-influencers-photographers-abuse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.104.c1o9._KWxu7J9zx9g&.Copy
A Portrait of Success?
In a separate article of the series, The New York Times covers the story of a social media super influencer, an 18-year-old girl who unapologetically navigated the perilous child-influencer scene and made significant financial profits from it. Valentino-DeVries, Jennifer, and Michael H Keller. “She Was a Child Instagram Influencer. Her Fans Were Grown Men.” The New York Times, 10 Nov. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/us/child-influencer.html?register=email&.Copy Her online presence began with the help of her parents at the age of eight as a snowboarding and surfing prodigy. Her parents managed her accounts as she promoted free gear she received from top brands in the industry. By age 13, the inappropriate attention from men online was in full swing, as she began promoting swimwear brands on social media.
The Cost of Making It Big
Inappropriate attention was only the beginning: At age 15, nude photos stolen from her phone were widely circulated online. Valentino-DeVries, Jennifer, and Michael H Keller. “She Was a Child Instagram Influencer. Her Fans Were Grown Men.” The New York Times, 10 Nov. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/us/child-influencer.html?register=email&.Copy It was also discovered that networks of pedophiles were colluding to patiently groom and entice her. Two photographers in particular who contacted her for shoots were convicted of child exploitation crimes later on.
Yet, even amidst all this, by the time she finished school, her earnings were nearing a million dollars, and she was living a lavish lifestyle. As soon as she turned 18, Jacky, the young woman, began creating and selling porn on OnlyFans and Playboy. Her loyal followers—once again, predominantly older men—were delighted by the development, confirming their ultimate interest all along. Valentino-DeVries, Jennifer, and Michael H Keller. “She Was a Child Instagram Influencer. Her Fans Were Grown Men.” The New York Times, 10 Nov. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/us/child-influencer.html?register=email&.Copy
Tragically, the underage influencer industry can be a perverse feeder into the world of porn, where people sexualize and sell the bodies of women and girls. Interestingly, Jacky demonstrates a striking awareness that she was and is profiting off the interest of men who are sexually interested in minors. The promise of good money or fame led her and her family to enter into a vicious world that profits off the sexualization and objectification of children. But even in this model of “success” in the child influencer industry, holding at bay the harassment of pedophiles is a given.
An Ugly Industry
Across the articles, different stories put a spotlight on the deepest and darkest corners of the porn industry. They describe how men tactfully manipulate parents into sexually exploiting their own children, often with no repercussions in the aftermath. In the process, they degrade these young girls’ innocence. They groom and prime the girls to a career in the porn industry, making them believe money is easy and success assured, with no mention of the costs.
Stop the Demand
The porn industry thrives off of the same markets that create demand for underage explicit material. Unfortunately, as long as there is demand, abuse of minors will continue. So what can we do?
We believe staying informed is a first, critical step. To learn more about the harmful effects of pornography and the alarming ways it intersects with other sex industries, check out our resources on how pornography affects the world, or explore our free Documentary called Brain, Heart, World. Let’s all take a step forward to stop the demand. You with us?
