When a severely malnourished child escaped a Utah home, begging for food and water, he didn't just expose a case of horrific abuse. He ripped the wholesome mask off the multi-billion-dollar industry of family vlogging. The child's mother was Ruby Franke, the star of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, a woman who sold parenting advice to millions. From the Crimes That Echo series, author Eva R. Smith presents a searing exposé of the unregulated world of "kidfluencing." Bad Influence goes behind the curated smiles and minimalist homes to investigate the dark reality of turning a child's life into monetized content. In an industry where a child's privacy is the product, who is protecting them? This essential investigation explores: The Vlogger's Mind: A deep psychological dive into the "sharent" phenomenon and the narcissistic traits that can lead parents to exploit their own children for fame and profit. - A System of Failure: Uncover how social media algorithms reward sensationalism and how platforms and advertisers have enabled a culture of exploitation. - The Children Who Spoke Out: Hear the powerful, first-hand accounts of children who grew up on camera and are now fighting to reclaim their stolen childhoods. - The Fight for Justice: Learn about the landmark legal battles, from the "DaddyOFive" case to the new "Kid-Coogan" laws, aimed at bringing accountability to this digital Wild West. Bad Influence is a powerful and timely look at the true cost of online fame and a call to action to protect the internet's youngest and most vulnerable stars.