Ex-YouTube Mom Regrets Exploiting Kids for Views

From Vlogger to Advocate

Belen Fernandez, a former YouTube vlogger, now expresses profound regret over sharing videos of her children online. She earned approximately £50,000 over three years, but now strongly criticizes the trend of parental 'oversharing' on platforms like YouTube.

Financial Gain and 65 Million Views

Fernandez’s channel amassed 400,000 subscribers and 65 million views. Despite this success, she believes the primary motivation for featuring children in online content is always financial. She openly admits to exploiting her children, Julia and Diego, to increase viewership.

Exploiting a Child's Condition

Diego, her son, has Down’s syndrome, and Fernandez specifically focused on videos depicting his meltdowns, recognizing this content would attract views. This continued even after her daughter, Julia, was targeted by a stalker, leading to the family relocating for safety.

Addiction to Validation and Income

Fernandez describes becoming “addicted” to the positive feedback and income generated by the channel. This addiction, she says, blinded her to the detrimental impact on her children’s well-being. She now firmly believes no amount of money justifies harming her children.

The Channel's Origins

Belen began vlogging in 2016, initially seeking a flexible work arrangement as an English teacher and nanny. Inspired by other family vloggers, she believed featuring Diego would help her channel stand out. She started by recording everyday family moments.

Viral Success and Unexpected Attention

A video of Diego’s 15th birthday party went viral in 2017, significantly boosting her subscriber count. The family’s growing online presence led to unexpected encounters with fans while on vacation, with strangers seeking them out.

A Cautionary Tale

Fernandez emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a child’s privacy and well-being over financial gain or online validation. Her experience serves as a cautionary tale for parents considering vlogging their families, highlighting the ethical considerations and potential long-term consequences.