TikTok makers Lilly and Paul, known as Dear and Darling, confronted allegations of child exploitation after a video condemning their get-away turned into an online sensation.
The couple, with 171,000 followers, answered with a video tending to the allegations and explaining their content creation approach.
Content maker KC Davis, with 1.6 million followers on domesticblisters, blamed the couple for taking advantage of their six kids during a Disney World vacation.
She guaranteed that they requested that the children make 40 pieces of content, sharing a spreadsheet of video thoughts. KC contended against supporting family vlogging channels, prompting a viral reaction against Dear and Darling.
Lilly Davis answered the allegations, impugning them as “outrageous and false.” She expressed worry about the adverse consequences for her family because of the viral video, inciting her to address what was happening. The couple denied being family vloggers and explained their content creation elements.
Lilly Davis explained that out of their last 250 recordings, just 14 incorporated their children, aside from their oldest girl, Maggie, who is away at college.
She stressed that without the children, their content would remain to a great extent unaltered, featuring comments from followers who thought they didn’t have children in light of their content.
The couple has six kids, five of whom are teenagers, and Lilly asserted that each child can choose to opt-in or out of content creation as they please. She emphasized that the children’s participation is occasional, with Paul participating frequently.
Lilly dismissed claims that they exploit their children and argued that their content often doesn’t feature the kids.
Lilly addressed the specific vacation-related accusations, stating that the assumption of planning 40 videos during their Disney World trip was untrue.
She explained that content creation, if the kids chose to participate, would only take up 15 to 20 minutes of their day. She shared that their trips are primarily focused on family time, with filming being a small fraction.
Lilly disclosed her ADHD diagnosis, explaining that lists, like the vacation idea list shown in the video, help her stay organized. She shared the challenges of planning trips, emphasizing the spontaneity and chaos involved.
The couple clarified that the list was Paul’s attempt to assist Lilly, not a mandate for the children’s participation.
Paul expressed the surreal experience of being targeted by misinformation and the negative impact on Lilly. He criticized the spread of misinformation and the vile messages directed at his wife.
Paul conveyed his desire to move on from the situation and highlighted the harm caused by unfounded criticism.
KC Davis deleted her original video but responded to Dear and Darling’s TikTok. She stood by her initial critique, emphasizing that making a list of how to film children for content on a family vacation raised ethical concerns.
KC clarified that her criticism was not an attack but a response to the couple’s video discussing their content plans during the vacation.
Clarification on Video Deletion
KC clarified that she didn’t want her followers to target Dear and Darling but believed her criticism was appropriate. She acknowledged the discomfort the couple might feel but maintained her stance on the exploitative nature of planning content involving children during a family vacation.
Lilly Davis concluded the response video by urging viewers to learn the facts before joining the criticism bandwagon. She emphasized the real lives impacted by hate and threats, urging responsibility in supporting content creators.
Lilly encouraged responsible information sharing and cautioned against damaging misinformation.
View this post on InstagramDear and Darling faced allegations of child exploitation, responding with a detailed clarification of their content creation approach.
The controversy highlighted the challenges content creators face in navigating public scrutiny and misinformation in the social media landscape.
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