Child protection charity warns of 'blurred boundaries' between YouTube stars and fans
LOS ANGELES -- A U.K.-based child protection charity is calling out YouTube creators for the "blurred boundaries" between the internet stars and their young, often impressionable fans.
Mashable reported in August a rise in allegations of harassment and inappropriate conduct between digital influencers and the fans who treat them like bona fide celebrities.
Now Great Britain's National Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Children has created a helpline for victims. The charity urges those who watch YouTube videos to "never share personal information online, not accept friend requests from people you don't know in real life and have conversations with your parents about where you are going and what you are doing online."
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Many people have come forward in the last few years to accuse a wide range of YouTubers, ranging from popular big names like Toby Turner to smaller creators like Alex Carpenter. Most of these accusations have not resulted in criminal complaints, but they remain archived in the pages of internet history.
Emily Cherry, of the U.K.'s NSPCC, told the BBC in an interview that YouTubers have a "responsibility" to make sure relationships with young fans are appropriate.
In the U.S., as Mashable reported, similar nonprofits -- such as Uplift: Online Communities Against Sexual Violence -- are working to help combat sexual abuse in online communities through education and advocacy.
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
