Ruby Franke, best known as the matriarch behind the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, gained significant popularity by documenting her life as a mother of six children. The channel, which focused on family vlogs, followed Ruby’s everyday life with her husband and children, sharing everything from family outings to parenting challenges. While the channel’s popularity soared, it also faced a great deal of controversy surrounding Ruby’s strict parenting style, especially concerning her children. In this article, we will explore the lives of Ruby Franke’s kids, the dynamics of their upbringing, and the controversies that have sparked widespread debate.
Contents
- 1 Biography Table: Ruby Franke
- 2 Who Are Ruby Franke’s Kids?
- 3 The Controversies Surrounding Ruby Franke’s Parenting Style
- 4 The Role of Family Vlogging in the Lives of Ruby Franke’s Kids
- 5 The Decision to End 8 Passengers
- 6 The Impact of Public Scrutiny on Ruby Franke’s Kids
- 7 What’s Next for Ruby Franke’s Kids?
- 8 Conclusion
Biography Table: Ruby Franke
| Full Name | Ruby Franke |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1982 |
| Birthplace | Utah, United States |
| Profession | YouTuber, Content Creator |
| YouTube Channel | 8 Passengers |
| Years Active | 2015–2023 |
| Spouse | Kevin Franke |
| Children | Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, Eve |
Who Are Ruby Franke’s Kids?
Ruby Franke’s kids have been at the center of her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, since its inception in 2015. The six children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—played integral roles in the vlogs, each showcasing their unique personalities as they navigated the ups and downs of family life. The channel’s content often highlighted their daily routines, homeschooling experiences, family vacations, and other aspects of their upbringing.
The Franke children grew up under the spotlight, with millions of viewers regularly tuning in to watch their lives unfold. However, as the channel grew in popularity, it also attracted scrutiny. Critics argued that the children’s lives were overly exposed to the public and questioned Ruby and her husband Kevin’s parenting decisions, which many viewers felt were overly strict.
Despite these criticisms, the Franke kids became familiar faces to YouTube audiences around the world. Viewers watched them grow from toddlers into teenagers, each with their own set of challenges and milestones. Ruby Franke’s kids provided a window into the complexities of parenting, but this same visibility sparked intense debate about the ethics of family vlogging and the potential long-term impacts on the children involved.
The Controversies Surrounding Ruby Franke’s Parenting Style
While 8 Passengers initially attracted viewers for its wholesome portrayal of family life, Ruby Franke’s parenting style became a point of contention as the channel progressed. As her kids grew older, some viewers began to express concern about what they saw as harsh and, at times, inappropriate punishments for the children.
One of the most talked-about incidents involved Ruby Franke’s son Chad. In a vlog, Ruby mentioned that Chad had been sent to a behavioral camp as punishment for various infractions. Later, Chad revealed in a video that he had been sleeping on a beanbag for months as another form of discipline. This revelation shocked many viewers, who felt that Ruby’s approach to parenting was overly punitive and potentially harmful to her children.
Another notable moment that sparked outrage among viewers involved Ruby’s youngest child, Eve. In a video, Ruby admitted that she had forgotten to pack lunch for Eve when she went to school. Instead of quickly resolving the issue, Ruby suggested that going without lunch would be a “natural consequence” for Eve, implying that her young daughter needed to learn responsibility.
These incidents, along with others, led to widespread backlash against Ruby Franke, with many accusing her of being too harsh on her children. Some even called for authorities to investigate the family, concerned for the well-being of Ruby Franke’s kids.
Ruby defended her parenting style, stating that she believed in the importance of teaching her children accountability and that her methods, while strict, were rooted in love and a desire to raise responsible adults. Despite her defense, the criticisms persisted, and the controversy continued to cast a shadow over the 8 Passengers channel.
The Role of Family Vlogging in the Lives of Ruby Franke’s Kids
Family vlogging, while a popular genre on YouTube, has long been a topic of debate. Channels like 8 Passengers, which center around documenting the lives of children, often face questions about the impact of constant exposure on the young participants. In the case of Ruby Franke’s kids, this was no different.
Being part of a family vlog meant that Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve were regularly filmed and featured in videos that reached millions of viewers. While this visibility may have provided certain opportunities and experiences that they wouldn’t have had otherwise, it also came with significant downsides.
One of the key concerns was the lack of privacy for the Franke children. Moments that most kids experience privately, such as personal struggles, embarrassing incidents, or disciplinary actions, were often shared with the world. For instance, Chad’s behavioral issues were a frequent topic in the vlogs, with Ruby discussing his punishments in great detail. Critics argued that this level of exposure could have lasting psychological effects on the children, particularly as they grew older and became more aware of how they were perceived by the public.
Moreover, the monetization of the family’s content raised ethical questions. Like many family vloggers, Ruby Franke and her husband Kevin earned a substantial income from their YouTube channel, thanks to ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. This led some viewers to question whether the children were being used as content creators without fully understanding the implications of their participation in the videos.
In recent years, discussions around child labor laws in digital spaces have gained momentum, with many calling for stricter regulations on family vlogging. The case of Ruby Franke’s kids has often been cited as an example of why such regulations are necessary, as the lines between family life and content creation have become increasingly blurred.
The Decision to End 8 Passengers
In 2023, after years of growing controversy and criticism, the 8 Passengers YouTube channel ceased uploading new content. While Ruby Franke and her husband did not provide an official explanation for the channel’s hiatus, many speculated that the ongoing backlash had taken a toll on the family.
The decision to stop vlogging was likely a difficult one, given that the channel had been a significant source of income for the family. However, it may have also been a response to the mounting concerns about the well-being of Ruby Franke’s kids and the intense scrutiny the family had faced over the years.
With the end of 8 Passengers, many fans and critics alike have wondered what the future holds for Ruby and her children. While the family is no longer sharing their lives with the public on a regular basis, the legacy of the channel—and the controversies it sparked—will likely follow them for years to come.
For Ruby Franke’s kids, the end of the channel may represent a chance to reclaim some of their privacy and autonomy. Growing up in the public eye can have long-lasting effects, and many are hopeful that the children will now have the opportunity to live more normal, unrecorded lives as they transition into adulthood.
The Impact of Public Scrutiny on Ruby Franke’s Kids
The children of high-profile YouTubers like Ruby Franke face unique challenges as they navigate growing up under constant public scrutiny. Ruby Franke’s kids were no exception. From dealing with fan expectations to confronting harsh online criticism, Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve experienced a level of attention that most children never encounter.
As they grow older, the long-term impact of this scrutiny remains to be seen. Studies have shown that children who grow up in the public eye, whether through traditional media or social media, often struggle with issues related to privacy, identity, and mental health. For the Franke children, their highly-publicized childhood may pose similar challenges, particularly as they enter adolescence and adulthood.
Shari, the eldest of Ruby Franke’s kids, has already distanced herself from the family’s YouTube channel and has expressed her desire to focus on her own path, separate from the 8 Passengers brand. Her decision to step away from the spotlight may be indicative of the difficulties the Franke children faced growing up with their lives broadcast to millions.
What’s Next for Ruby Franke’s Kids?
As of 2024, Ruby Franke’s kids remain relatively out of the public eye. With the end of 8 Passengers, it’s unclear whether the family intends to return to YouTube or if they have chosen to leave the platform behind for good. Some of the children, like Shari, have begun pursuing their own interests outside of the family’s YouTube fame.
For the younger children, such as Russell and Eve, the future remains uncertain. Having spent much of their early childhoods on camera, they may face unique challenges as they grow up and transition into new phases of life.
What is clear, however, is that the story of Ruby Franke’s kids serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of family vlogging. While these types of channels can bring fame and financial success, they also raise serious questions about privacy, consent, and the emotional well-being of the children involved.
Conclusion
The lives of Ruby Franke’s kids have been both fascinating and controversial. As part of the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, they grew up in front of millions of viewers, experiencing both the benefits and challenges of life in the public eye. While their time on YouTube brought them fame, it also subjected them to scrutiny and criticism, particularly regarding their mother’s parenting choices.
As the family steps away from vlogging, the future of Ruby Franke’s kids remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: their story has sparked important conversations about the ethics of family vlogging and the impact it has on the children involved.
