Summary
Highlights
Despite the lack of regulation, child YouTubers face criticism. 'Le Chevalier du Net,' a prominent YouTuber, denounced family channels for their demanding filming schedules and questioned children's free will, gathering 40,000 signatures on a petition. In 2017, the Observatory of Parentality and Digital Technology urged authorities to grant child YouTubers the same protections as child actors. A new law in France is being considered to regulate commercial exploitation of children by parents, treating it as work.
The video begins by introducing the 'Api Récré' YouTube channel, popular for its 'Taste and Guess' and 'Brand or Sub-brand' challenge videos, featuring children Kim and Sam. These videos, which involve blindfolded taste tests of various products like cheese, chips, and Oreos, have garnered millions of views. Clara explains her research into the channel to Cédric, detailing the types of content and their popularity.
Clara explains that many parents film their children for YouTube, a highly lucrative phenomenon that started in the US and spread globally. The highest-earning YouTuber in 2019 was an 8-year-old American boy named Ryan, earning $26 million. In France, the trend began in 2014-2015, with 'Api Récré' becoming the most popular channel among numerous others. The content evolved from 'unboxing' videos to challenges and pranks, often copied from American channels.
Clara reveals that YouTubers earn money from advertisements inserted by YouTube and through brand sponsorships for product placements. The Dior family, behind 'Api Récré', established multiple companies, registering trademarks related to their children's names. The father quit his job to film and edit videos, producing 2-4 videos per week. Beyond YouTube, they diversified into merchandise like stationery and toys, generating over a million euros annually.
Cédric questions where the money goes, and Clara explains that parents collect the earnings without regulation, unlike child models or actors whose earnings are partially blocked until adulthood. For child YouTubers, their activity is considered a private hobby, creating a legal vacuum. This lack of oversight means there are no controls on working hours or financial protection for the children.
Mélanie Claud, the mother of Kim and Sam, defends her actions by stating she saves money for her children's future and that they enjoy being YouTubers. However, Clara uncovers a significant privacy issue: Mélanie recently posted a photo on Instagram of a package revealing their full name, address, and even building number, effectively exposing their home address to the public.
The video concludes by referencing another popular series on the 'Api Récré' channel called 'Buy Everything', where Kim and Sam buy anything starting with a specific letter within a time limit, regardless of price or utility. This further illustrates the diverse content strategies and commercial nature of their YouTube activities.