A video of my baby was stolen and Instagram won't remove it

"The comments are disgusting but I have no control."

Image: TikTok

A Sydney mum posted an innocent clip of her daughter with her dad... and another account stole it.

The comments on it are disgusting, but mum Sarah has been rendered powerless.

Now, she's demanding social media giants prioritise complaints made about content involving minors.

Kidspot has been given permission to use the video in this story. We’ve chosen to blur their faces. 

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Instagram claims there's been no violation

“There should be an option to report misuse of original content and it should definitely be fast tracked when it involves minors,” she told Kidspot. 

"They (Instagram) have stated there is nothing that violates the guidelines so therefore will not be removing the post."

The mum of three discovered a Tik Tok of her daughter, Violetta, on another account, on Instagram - a different platform from where she had shared it. It was originally posted in 2023, and shortly after it accumulated millions of views.

It was just an innocent clip of her husband and her one-year-old daughter.  

Violetta, now three, was filmed moving backward to sit in her father's lap on the floor to read a book. 

When it was on her page Sarah maintained the ability to delete comments and stay in control.  She even declined several offers from companies looking to buy the video for thousands of dollars to reshare it.

Which is what makes Sarah angrier.

“This was taken without consent, I have concerns the video is being monetised and it’s impossible to monitor what is said in the comments. Sharing an innocent video of your child should absolutely not result in the video being stolen.

“I said I’d like it to stay on my account where I can monitor how it’s used." 

Sarah and her family. Image: Supplied

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"I'm selective of the content I share"

Sarah says that usually, she’s cautious on social media

“The internet can be a dangerous place at times. I’m extremely selective of the content I share with my followers. Most of my videos don’t show my children’s faces or if they do it’s generally very brief.”

The account that stole the video seems to have a sole purpose of sharing publicly available content from parents, without credit, let alone consent. Sarah’s video on the account has had 467,000 views. 

But it's the comments from strangers that upset the mum the most. Many nameless accounts, without even a profile picture, have posted suggestive emojis and in foreign languages. 

Some go as far as to include thinly veiled sexual innuendos that would shock most people.  

Sarah says that her main issue is. “I can’t monitor how this video is being used and the comments it attracts.” 

Image: TikTok

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"Be aware of everything you post"

For parents innocently sharing pure moments of their children, Sarah has offered the advice she wish she knew.

“Be aware of everything you post,” she warns. 

“I’m particularly mindful about what I post and always have been. Content can be stolen and in my case it’s an innocent video which is clearly being used to gain followers and traction.”

She now eagerly awaits with hope that Instagram might take her concerns seriously and intervene. 

In the interim, she refuses to do nothing. She’s rallying friends to hit report on the post and help the platform see reason. 

“Unfortunately there’s not much I can do about it except ask people to report,” she said. 

Among the creepy comments are those of her friends trying to get the post taken down.

“This is my friends child and she HAS NOT given permission for this to be posted ! Please take this down !!” wrote one. 

“This is my friends video of her daughter which has been shared without their consent. Take it down.” said another.

Meta has been contacted for comment. At the time of publication they hadn’t responded.  

Originally published as A video of my baby was stolen and Instagram won't remove it