KIDFLUENCERS
A year-long Four Corners investigation exposing the dark underbelly of the influencing industry, where children’s images were sexualised and monetised - sometimes by the very adults meant to protect them.
I pitched the story and co-reported the investigation with Jessica Longbottom, uncovering private Signal and Telegram groups where users discussed child influencers. I uncovered AI-generated child abuse material as well as subscription accounts such as BrandArmy, where parents monetised access to images and videos of their children.
Exclusive interviews with parents revealed the disturbing messages and requests their children received from adult male followers. We found Instagram told parents it was unable to review complaints because there were too many.
STORIES
The fan site authorities say is 'profiting from the exploitation and sexualisation of children'
Inside the world of 'kidfluencers' where children make thousands from social media — at a cost