7 Shocking Ways Shari Franke Is Rebuilding Her Life After The Ruby Franke Scandal

The world has watched for years as the Franke family's life unfolded on the internet, culminating in the shocking conviction of matriarch Ruby Franke for aggravated child abuse. As of December 2025, the focus has shifted entirely to the children, particularly Shari Franke, the eldest daughter, who has emerged from the trauma not just as a survivor, but as a powerful advocate for child protection in the digital age. Her journey of healing, advocacy, and reclaiming her privacy has made her a symbol of resilience for former child influencers everywhere, culminating in a bombshell memoir and major life milestones.

Shari’s story is a profound quest for freedom, moving from the restrictive, abusive environment documented on the infamous "8 Passengers" YouTube channel to a life defined by personal boundaries and public service. Her recent engagement and the publication of her instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, *The House of My Mother*, mark a definitive new chapter. This article explores the seven most significant ways Shari is navigating her life, using her voice to expose the horrors of her past and fight for a better future for children in the social media spotlight.

Shari Franke: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Shari Franke’s life has been split between her public childhood as a YouTube personality and her private struggle against alleged abuse. She is now a leading voice speaking out against the dangers of family vlogging and the exploitation of children on social media.

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• Full Name: Shari Franke
• Date of Birth: March 3, 2003
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 22
• Place of Birth: Logan, Utah, USA
• Parents: Ruby Franke (Mother, convicted of aggravated child abuse) and Kevin Franke (Father)
• Siblings: Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve Franke
• Education: Currently a student at Brigham Young University (BYU)
• Notable Work: Author of the memoir, *The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom* (published January 7, 2025)
• Public Role: Child social media exploitation advocate and former star of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel.

1. The Release of Her Bestselling Memoir: *The House of My Mother*

The most powerful and recent step Shari has taken to reclaim her narrative is the publication of her memoir, *The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom*, which hit shelves on January 7, 2025. The book immediately became an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, a testament to the public's intense interest in her story and her powerful writing. The memoir provides a "heart-wrenchingly personal" and "dizzying" account of the hidden abuse she endured while simultaneously being presented as part of a perfect family to millions on the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel. Shari’s book details the psychological and emotional turmoil that existed behind the camera, including the introduction of Jodi Hildebrandt and the increasingly severe "principles" that led to her mother's conviction. This work is not just a tell-all; it is a critical piece of survivor literature that seeks to educate the public on the realities of child abuse within the influencer economy.

2. Taking a Stand Against Family Vlogging and Child Exploitation

Shari Franke has transitioned from being a victim of family vlogging to a prominent advocate against child exploitation in social media. She has been outspoken about how the "8 Passengers" channel "ruined her innocence," highlighting the immense pressure and lack of agency experienced by children whose lives are monetized online. Her advocacy work is deeply personal, stemming from her own experience of having her private life, mistakes, and punishments broadcast to millions of subscribers. Shari uses her platform to speak about the need for new laws and ethical guidelines to protect the children of influencers, a conversation that has gained significant traction following the conviction of her mother, Ruby Franke, and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, for aggravated child abuse. She is actively working to ensure that no other child has to endure the trauma of having their childhood weaponized for views and profit.

The core of her message is the fundamental right of a child to privacy and autonomy, arguing that the constant surveillance and public judgment inherent in family vlogging can be a form of emotional abuse. Her testimony and public statements have been instrumental in fueling the national debate around "kidfluencers" and the ethical responsibilities of parent-creators.

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3. Announcing Her Engagement and Setting New Boundaries

In a major personal update shared in December 2024, Shari Franke announced her engagement, marking a beautiful new beginning separate from her family's dark past. This milestone is significant not only for her personal happiness but also for the powerful statement that accompanied it. Shari explicitly stated that her engagement and subsequent life updates would be the "end of me sharing my private life." This decision is a profound act of reclaiming her voice and agency, which were taken from her for so long as a child influencer. By drawing a firm boundary, Shari is asserting control over her own narrative and protecting her future relationships from the public scrutiny that defined her youth. The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from followers who respect her decision to prioritize privacy and mental well-being over social media engagement.

4. Her Role in the Ruby Franke Legal Proceedings

Shari was a crucial figure in the aftermath of her mother’s arrest in August 2023. She was the first of the Franke children to publicly confirm the severity of the situation, posting a photo with the word "Finally" on her social media, signaling a sense of relief that the alleged abuse was finally being addressed. She has maintained a clear stance, expressing her support for the authorities and the legal process that ultimately led to Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt pleading guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. While she has expressed complex emotions regarding her mother, Shari's focus has consistently been on the safety and well-being of her younger siblings, who were placed in state custody following the arrests.

5. Navigating Her Relationship with Her Father, Kevin Franke

The Franke family tragedy has also put a spotlight on Kevin Franke, Shari’s father, who was estranged from Ruby at the time of the arrests. Shari's memoir and public statements have had to navigate the complicated role her father played in the "8 Passengers" channel and the subsequent abuse. While much of the blame for the abuse has been directed toward Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, Shari has acknowledged the broader systemic issues within the family's structure. Kevin Franke has since sought to support his children and has been part of the Hulu docuseries detailing the family's fall. Shari's journey includes the difficult task of redefining her relationship with her father outside of the toxic environment of the past, focusing on healing and moving forward as a fragmented family unit.

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6. Continuing Her Education at Brigham Young University (BYU)

Amidst the chaos and public scrutiny, Shari has remained committed to her education. She is a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), a personal endeavor that represents her pursuit of a normal, stable life away from the camera. Her dedication to her studies is a quiet but powerful act of self-determination, proving that she is focused on building a future defined by her own achievements and choices, rather than the legacy of her parents' controversial online empire. This commitment to higher education provides a necessary structure and sense of normalcy as she processes her past trauma.

7. Inspiring a New Generation of Child Advocates

Shari Franke’s bravery in telling her story has made her an inadvertent leader in the movement to protect child influencers. Her decision to speak out, despite the personal cost, has inspired a new generation of former "kidfluencers" to share their own experiences of exploitation and trauma. She is actively contributing to the development of new ethical standards and legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding the earnings, privacy, and mental health of children featured in family vlogs. Her work is a legacy of empowerment, transforming her victimhood into a powerful force for systemic change. Shari’s advocacy ensures that the tragedy of the Franke family will not be forgotten but will serve as a crucial cautionary tale for the entire digital media industry.