Like, Follow, Subscribe: Investigating the Child Influencer Industry with Fortesa Latifi

Like, Follow, Subscribe: Investigating the Child Influencer Industry with Fortesa Latifi

April 8, 2026 · 47 min · Season 1 · Episode 11

About this episode

This episode explores the child influencer industry with journalist Fortesa Latifi, discussing the ethical implications and real experiences of children in the spotlight.

What’s really happening behind the scenes of family vlogging, momfluencers, and kidfluencers? In this episode of Parents Uncharted, Sarah sits down with journalist and author Fortesa Latifi to unpack what she uncovered while researching her new book, “Like, Follow, Subscribe” From viral “day in the life” videos to deeply personal moments shared online, this conversation goes beyond the curated feeds- and into the real experiences of the children growing up on camera and the thought process of the parents behind the camera. Drawing on interviews with influencers, researchers, and even the kids themselves, Fortesa reveals the ethical gray areas, financial incentives, and emotional realities shaping today’s billion-dollar influencer industry. Because behind every viral moment… there’s a real child living it. More About Fortesa Latifi: Fortesa Latifi is a journalist based in Los Angeles. She is the author of LIKE, FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE: Influencer Kids & The Cost of A Childhood Online; a searing investigation into the child influencer industry and the perils of childhood internet fame. Like, Follow, Subscribe is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the costs of internet…

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