Managing Editor: Do not let anyone take your story away from you

Our stories, much like our names, voices and memories, are the one of the only things that can never be taken from us. Well, unless someone sells your story. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime and several other major streaming platforms have been guilty of releasing, buying or selling the stories of minors, some of which are children of murderers and abusers. Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing and Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, to name a few, share the stories of children affected by the pressure and discomfort of the internet, many of which are children under the age of 18.

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, follows the story of Ruby Franke, a YouTube vlogger who raised her children on video, sharing their daily lives for content. Franke was arrested in 2023 and charged with multiple counts of child abuse and neglect. Even though four out of six of her kids are minors, their story is now public information thanks to Disney+ marketing.

It is ironic that platforms like Disney+, that are known to produce child actors and artists, claim to support the stories of these children while blatantly exposing them to even more attention. In releasing these documentaries, our favorite streaming platforms are furthering a toxic stigma around what it means to be a victim. Regardless of the topic, performative sympathy will not begin to heal the real trauma that these kids have had to experience.

While documentaries can be a great way to criticize or draw attention to a flawed system, many of these new projects prey directly on child trauma for their views, which I guess is what keeps viewers coming back for more.

Many of these shows, and even influencers on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube, blur the faces of minors, claiming that this measure protects their privacy. The truth is, there is a hard lesson to learn about the manipulation and addiction of social media. You cannot escape it.

We should not be placing children in the direct line of disruptive biased media fires and spreading false information on social media about minors. Regardless of the intended protection of privacy, the stories of these children should not be promoted for money and profit. These child-focused documentaries leave nothing open to interpretation. With one Google search, any viewer can find the six names of Ruby Franke’s kids; with one search, the faces of these children are found, and no one is there to protect them.

Having studied journalism for almost my entire high school career, this issue lands very close to my heart. Over my three years on The Chronicle staff, and this past year as Managing Editor, I have not only put an emphasis on protecting our sources in potentially controversial stories, but also worked to ensure that our staff members can freely and safely express their editorial opinions. This experience has given me a new appreciation for honest journalism and reporters who truly value their sources.

As I get ready to leave my role as Managing Editor of The Chronicle behind and enter the professional world of media and communications, I strive to remember the real reason for storytelling: to spread awareness to real issues, not to profit off of them. To my fellow seniors: as we prepare to move on from our childhood bubble, I urge you to not let any pressure, whether it be through social media, friendships or otherwise, stop you from sharing your story and your truth. While I may not be able to control these major media outlets or fix the horrors of these children’s experiences, my voice will have the power to support them rather than manipulate them for my own gain.

It is vital to preserve the honesty, honor and depth of the truth, while still protecting the victims and the very heart of the stories being told. No matter where I end up in future, I promise to protect and honor the stories of those who cannot tell it themselves.