Child equestrian influencers

[stangs]

(Excuse the not particularly coherent post)

YT still has plenty of examples of parents capitalising off their children, but I think it’s safe to say that there’s more awareness of the damages that being a child influencer can do these days + the exploitation these children face, and more criticism of the genre as a whole.

However, I've been thinking this evening: there’s been a definite increase in child influencers in the equestrian sphere, but I’ve never seen any criticism of it.

Of course, most of the child equestrian ‘influencers’ aren’t making millions of pounds from their ‘work’ (don’t feel comfortable naming any names, but there’s quite a few under 10 show jumpers on Instagram across the globe, and then there’s always the two UK sisters with their plethora of ponies that I’m sure everyone knows), but the bigger accounts will be getting sponsorships, and the various opportunities that ‘influencing’ provides. So there is the space of financial incentive.

I’m sure the parents are doing it out of pride of what their (typically) daughters are achieving, with no bad intentions, but if my parent when I was younger posted videos of 90% of the rides I rode, or spoke about how I’ve been struggling with my confidence, I wouldn’t be very comfortable with it as I grew older. You know what they say about nothing on the internet being deletable.

In particular, the reason I’m posting this is that a certain YT channel (from the New Forest) keeps getting recommended to me. It’s described as a ‘family equestrian channel’ but mostly posts videos of their young daughter. The production is quite professional, very good camera quality and child is miked up too - so not cheap production, which makes you think that they’re not just in it to show how much their daughter loves horses. Watching a video made me quite uncomfortable, but, then again, I’m not the target market.

I don’t know. I can’t say I don’t enjoy living vicariously through the pictures of little girls and their ponies, but, at the same time, most of them are far too young to understand the real implications of social media - if they even know that their parents post these pictures/videos of them.

Thoughts?

 

[Caol Ila]

My thoughts involve throwing my computer at a wall whenever I see anything like the phrase "social media influencers."

 

[ginatina]

I find it very creepy indeed. Rant coming on!

Firstly that the parent’s ego is so evidently wrapped up in the child’s success, they need the validation of social media

secondly the monetisation side is gross. I believe it’s not good behaviour to model to young minds - to pretend to like things so that you get paid for it or get sent free stuff. It’s so cynical.

then there’s the horrid focus on appearance - the obsession with ‘matchy matchy’, endless new colours of the same kit for no other reason than fashion. It’s extreme consumerism

plus teaching your child that nothing has value unless it can be measured by likes and follows from nameless ‘followers’ in the ether

in a few years it will be interesting to see these kids grow up, and see how they feel about their parent’s commodification of them, long before they could consent.

I have two kids of my own and want them to grow up without all this confusing, fake and egocentric social media taking over their young minds. I also have my own life and don’t need their successes to validate my own ego!

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I find it very creepy indeed. Rant coming on!

Firstly that the parent’s ego is so evidently wrapped up in the child’s success, they need the validation of social media

secondly the monetisation side is gross. I believe it’s not good behaviour to model to young minds - to pretend to like things so that you get paid for it or get sent free stuff. It’s so cynical.

then there’s the horrid focus on appearance - the obsession with ‘matchy matchy’, endless new colours of the same kit for no other reason than fashion. It’s extreme consumerism

plus teaching your child that nothing has value unless it can be measured by likes and follows from nameless ‘followers’ in the ether

in a few years it will be interesting to see these kids grow up, and see how they feel about their parent’s commodification of them, long before they could consent.

I have two kids of my own and want them to grow up without all this confusing, fake and egocentric social media taking over their young minds. I also have my own life and don’t need their successes to validate my own ego!

Nail. On. Head.

 

[Peglo]

There is an age limit for children on social media for a reason. I have no problems with parents sharing a nice family picture or a 5th birthday post etc but I don’t like parents sharing every aspect of their child on SM. The child has not consented to be that present online (and can’t comprehend what they would be consenting too)

completely agree with ginatina about becoming obsessed with likes and followers. It is so easy for people to get wrapped up with getting enough likes and being disappointed when they don’t so goodness knows what that would be like for children. Never mind the abuse and trolling that goes on because ‘I’m entitled to an opinion’ (yes you are but doesn’t mean anyone needs to hear it!!!!!)

I really enjoy seeing videos of children interacting with their ponies but a child influencer seems like setting that person up for a life of needing gratification from people online and I feel sorry for them that they’re not just getting to be children.

 

[ihatework]

I completely agree with you OP.

 

[Red-1]

YT?

I'm not into influencers as a rule.

That said, I am now doing a blog for a feed company. I thought ling and hard about it, but people seem to have enjoyed Rigsby's thread, so this one will be about the new boy. Yes, I will have some haylage. Yes, I can stop whenever I want. It is also, like HHO, not in my street name as that would set us up to be burgled or whatever (e.g. I will be going for a lesson on Tuesday etc - help yourself, the house is empty LOL).

If kids are doing this, then I can see an issue. I am always surprised with the blog at the back of H&H, it may be about the lady going for a ride, but seems to always have a photo of her kids. They always seem to be dressed in Pony Club stuff too, and cream jodhs. Do they never wear jeans? Do they realise the coverage they get?

Kids and social media is a thorny topic. I work in a school and some kids have no media on them. Sometimes just because the parents want them off line until they are old enough to make their own decision, which I admire.

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

I have a couple that keep popping upon my social media. One reads as a shopping list of thanks for all the merchandising they seem to receive and the other is an uncomfortable series of videos of a child riding over jumps far too fast, balancing with their hands and getting left behind at most fences. Both are uncomfortable viewing/reading. I could say far more but others have expressed their views far better than I can express mine.

 

[Winters100]

I can't see any good reason for wanting your child to do this. For money? We are the adults and it is our job to provide for the household. For free 'stuff'? Do they really need a stack of saddle cloths or whatever else they are sent? I strictly limit screen time in our house, and the last thing I would want would be children feeling that they had achieved success because of x thousand followers, there are more worthwhile things to strive for.

 

[Ratface]

In a previous professional life, I worked at the sharp end of child protection.
I feel that such behaviour is child exploitative on a number of levels.
However, I would expect the child's parents ( and probably many others) to vehemently deny this.
During 1940's I rode my pony in Women's Land Army breeches, khaki Army knee socks and work boots!
Plus a pair of string gloves, of course.

 

[stangs]

YT?

Youtube

 

[ycbm]

I find it very creepy indeed. Rant coming on!

Firstly that the parent’s ego is so evidently wrapped up in the child’s success, they need the validation of social media

secondly the monetisation side is gross. I believe it’s not good behaviour to model to young minds - to pretend to like things so that you get paid for it or get sent free stuff. It’s so cynical.

then there’s the horrid focus on appearance - the obsession with ‘matchy matchy’, endless new colours of the same kit for no other reason than fashion. It’s extreme consumerism

plus teaching your child that nothing has value unless it can be measured by likes and follows from nameless ‘followers’ in the ether

in a few years it will be interesting to see these kids grow up, and see how they feel about their parent’s commodification of them, long before they could consent.

I have two kids of my own and want them to grow up without all this confusing, fake and egocentric social media taking over their young minds. I also have my own life and don’t need their successes to validate my own ego!

No need for me to write it now. Bang on target.
.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I have only 2 words;


Poor Parenting!


For all the reasons listed above. Why would a sensible parent want to exploit their own child?

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Completely agree with everything that has been said here - I used to quite enjoy Kizzy & Ettie as I was living vicariously through the childhood they have, as it's one I wished I had, and it seemed less set up and fake, but to use a phrase someone up thread has used, their posts do just read as a shopping list of things they have been sent now, which is a shame.

 

[humblepie]

I can't find the link to it but the other day I was reading an article about privacy and children on line from the angle of what parents or grandparents may post and very interesting that posting something like a birthday party photo and saying having 7th birthday gives away a date of birth. There are quite a few articles on whether a child will be able to sue in the future for things posted online by relatives.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

There are some very popular ones on Facebook whereby the parents are held up as paragons of no nonsense horsiness by other horsey families-makes me heave tbh.

 

[silv]

My thoughts involve throwing my computer at a wall whenever I see anything like the phrase "social media influencers."

Ha Ha, same here!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NinjaPony]

I do feel quite uncomfortable seeing very young children all over social media (I mean in the influencer way, not in the sharing nice family photos way!). What benefit to them is it to have all their rides filmed and shared with strangers? They are too young to consent to it, or to understand the real world implications. I can understand parents wanting to share achievements and experiences with family and friends of course, but not to thousands of strangers. Seems to be the opposite to stated intentions to let children enjoy their childhood away from pressure or judgement.

 

[MagicMelon]

I have no issues with it personally, yes sure I do if they're really young kids. But if my eldest son got to an age where he said to me he wanted to try doing it then Id always support him. Some of these you tube kids have made millions which presumably sets them up for life. Id say well done to them. Different obviously if the parent is pushing and the kid doesnt want to do it, but the very few Ive seen the kids seem to really enjoy it. I dont think showing a video of a kid riding to thousands of strangers is any different from them simply riding in front of a big audience at somewhere like HOYS (which is also televised).

I have no issues whatsoever with influencers, some of them do really great productions and are setting themselves up with money and probably decent experience in producing these videos and potentially running their own company (once they get to an age they can).

You also forget that its often encouraged, loads of horsey competitions say the winner must have an active social media account if they win for example sponsorship etc.

 

[Xmas lucky]

It actually against YouTube rules nobody under the age of 13 is allowed to be involved in a YouTube channel or promoting/ targeting videos kids under the age . There is loads of people who do it and get away with it because YouTube makes money from them . Last year YouTube got a massive fine from not protecting kids in the USA. One of the most famous equestrian YouTube This esme is actually has a target audience of under 13 and her channel is amed at younger pony mad kids .

 

[coblets]

Lucky, there’s a difference between making content for children and children being the main focus of the content.

I have no problems with This Esme. ‘Harlow and Popcorn - The White Family’ however make me sick to my stomach.

 

[ginatina]

Yes the likes of ‘Harlow’, or more precisely Harlow’s parents, were exactly what I had in mind with my rant above!

this esme isn’t perfect but her content is generally wholesome and seems solely driven by her, not her parents. Isn’t she now about 19/20?

Crucially, when Esme started the whole thing was a lot more naive, and she’s grown with it. Nobody who starts in social media ‘influencing’ now, can claim naivety anymore!

 

[ester]

I've just realised it might have been esme there was a very long queue for at blenheim...

 

[DressageCob]

I wouldn't say it was more naive when This Esme started. Her videos started about 5 years ago. She immediately started with her branding, putting her name on the thumbnail, linking her YouTube to her instagram.

Youtube influencers have been big since about 2009, with the likes of PewDiePie and Zoella. The latter appears to be what Esme was modelling herself on.

I'm honestly not a fan of any of the "influencer" children (or adults for that matter). They just crave fame and fortune, and this is an easy way to achieve it. And the younger ones are just pawns used by their parents or "agents".

 

[Old school]

It is refreshing to read the comments here. I often feel uncomfortable when I see a parent constantly post a report of how their child performs at every single show/event. And the followers who slavishly love-heart every single post as if it would solve world hunger baffle me. I am no expert, but does this create a massive pressure on the child to push themselves harder? To me it is a subtle form of child abuse.

My daughter did set-up an Instagram account a few years back. She is a happy hacker. There were no show reports. Just her riding, in the stable with her pony, easy going stuff. She amassed 10k followers. I think it was because it was very relatable, just enjoying the company of her pony. She quit because of the pressure to always post. It took the fun out of it.

 

[stangs]

I've just realised it might have been esme there was a very long queue for at blenheim...

Probably. It amazes me how many people (well, children) turn up for those meet and greet events. There are a couple teenagers on Instagram who have done meetups at Badminton, HOYS, etc. They’re old enough that they know what they’re doing, but it still makes me uncomfortable imagining all those children with a seventeen year old as a role model, when seventeen year olds are still children themselves.

 

[ycbm]

To me it is a subtle form of child abuse.

☑

 

[scats]

I find the influencer thing in general very odd. There’s a few adult ones I follow because I like what they do with their horses and just enjoy watching them compete but there’s some I have had to unfollow.
There’s a dressage rider, who is currently on a weight loss journey, which is fine, but I’m finding the scantily clad posing and long winded ‘inspirational’ posts all a bit attention seeking and ridiculous. Does no-one ever do anything in private anymore, for themselves? I’d far rather be watching her train her horses (which I think she does fantastically, I must add.)

 

[Muddy unicorn]

I think there’s a difference between the teenage youtubers/instagrammers and the younger children. Accounts like this Esme and Pony Nuts are pretty obviously the teenagers’ own idea, although they must have a lot of parental backing and approval.
I’m more disturbed by the accounts featuring much younger children as they are being used by their parents to get sponsorships/monetise their channels when they can’t possibly have any concept of what they’re doing.
And even with the teenagers, the lack of diversity is uncomfortable - they’re pretty much all white, pretty, already hugely privileged (which is why all the little girls are desperate to be like them). Interestingly, riding ability or success at shows etc seems to have very little to do with social media success…

 

[DressageCob]

I think there’s a difference between the teenage youtubers/instagrammers and the younger children. Accounts like this Esme and Pony Nuts are pretty obviously the teenagers’ own idea, although they must have a lot of parental backing and approval.
I’m more disturbed by the accounts featuring much younger children as they are being used by their parents to get sponsorships/monetise their channels when they can’t possibly have any concept of what they’re doing.
And even with the teenagers, the lack of diversity is uncomfortable - they’re pretty much all white, pretty, already hugely privileged (which is why all the little girls are desperate to be like them). Interestingly, riding ability or success at shows etc seems to have very little to do with social media success…

I agree that there is a difference. The older children are in control of what they post, whereas the younger children's parents do whatever they fancy, whether the children want to or not. I find the former irritating but the latter abusive.

What bothers me about both is the desire for fame and influence. It's the constant begging for sponsorship, the adverts hidden in everything they post (sometimes highlighted by a hashtag, often not), the "merch" etc. Other young equestrians get convinced that because the pastel coloured helmet has their favourite influencer's name on it they just have to have it, along with the matchy matchy in every colour and shade.

I'm also not into the faux humbleness. The "oh all these people for little old me", like you haven't spent the last few years trying to become a celebrity.

It's also a shame that the equine ones are all incredibly wealthy, posh, pretty, white slim girls. I would definitely be interested in someone posting as a person using those inner city equestrian programmes, without the bank of mum and dad behind them. I loved the documentary about Khadijah Mellah, for example.