A shocking video that recently surfaced online has reignited urgent conversations about child protection in the digital age. The footage shows a young child being forced to inhale from a vaping device while the adults filming laugh at his obvious distress and confusion.
The perpetrator behind the camera? Fiona Jordan, a 23-year-old American social media influencer with nearly 700,000 followers across social media namely TikTok and Instagram.
Jordan, who has 100,000 followers on Instagram and almost 600,000 on TikTok social media, came under fire after a clip of a young child smoking while in her care was posted on social media. Hours after being contacted by the Daily Mail for comment, Jordan admitted her involvement in the scandal, saying she was 15 years old at the time when she encouraged and recorded the act, and now takes full responsibility.
In this article
A hollow apology years too late
When confronted about the eight-year-old video, Jordan offered what many considered a pathetic excuse. She claimed she was 'not in the right state of mind' as a 15-year-old and blamed her actions on her mother's recent death and hanging around 'the wrong crowd.'
Jordan told her followers: 'I was not in the right state of mind. As a young girl, I was making a lot of reckless choices, and honestly, I made a terrible decision. Recording it and being there makes me just as guilty, and I take full responsibility for this. I am truly deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused that family, now and then.'
But the damage was already done. The video shows an unnamed boy putting his mouth to the vaporiser device, exhaling smoke as he coughs and looks around in confusion. The girls filming, including Jordan, burst into laughter at the child's obvious distress.
The disturbing details
The original video was uploaded to an Instagram account belonging to Jordan under the username @shrimpd**kenergy. Jordan's father - William Jordan - is an officer with the Dunmore Police Department, according to public records. Yet despite this connection to law enforcement, no charges appear to have been filed in connection with the incident.
Public reaction was swift and scathing. Comments poured in describing the behaviour as 'psychotic,' 'pure evil,' and 'child abuse.' One viewer noted how 'the way he looks sad and coughs after' made the perpetrators appear like 'monsters.'
The serious health risks adults ignore
What makes this incident particularly disturbing isn't just the exploitation of a child for social media content - it's the serious health risks adults carelessly imposed on a developing mind and body.
'Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing vaping liquid through their skin or eyes. More than 80 per cent of calls to U.S. poison control centres for e-cigarettes are for children less than 5 years old.'
The CDC warns that nicotine poses unique dangers to youth because their brains are still developing, with nicotine able to harm brain development, which continues until about age 25. Using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
Recent research from Emory University revealed even more concerning findings about secondhand exposure. Children aged 4-12 years who were exposed to secondhand e-cigarette vapour showed significantly higher levels of metabolites linked to chemicals found in e-cigarette liquids compared to their unexposed peers. These metabolites interfere with the body's normal operations by disrupting dopamine levels and causing inflammation and oxidative stress.
When 'harmless fun' isn't harmless at all
Australian health authorities are clear: 'As the contents of e-cigarettes can vary significantly, it is best to assume that second-hand vapour from every e-cigarette is harmful for children. The best thing you can do for your children is to quit smoking and vaping.'
Warning signs of child exploitation online
Adults encouraging children to engage in age-inappropriate activities for content
Filming children's distress or discomfort for entertainment
Using children as props for viral videos without consideration of their well-being
Dismissing concerns about child safety as 'being too sensitive'
Making money from content featuring children without proper protections in place
A global awakening to digital child exploitation
Jordan's case, while shocking, represents just one example of a growing trend that has prompted lawmakers worldwide to act. The exploitation of children for online content has become so concerning that multiple jurisdictions have introduced groundbreaking legislation to protect young people.
In 2024, Illinois became the first state to expand its child labour laws to cover child influencers and vloggers. California and Minnesota quickly followed during the same year. In 2025, Utah passed similar legislation in response to a case of child abuse from a vlogging family.
Australia leads the world in child protection
Australia has taken the most comprehensive approach to protecting children in digital spaces. The Albanese Labour Government announced that age-restricted social media platforms will face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to take responsible steps to prevent underage account holders from using their services, with the legislation applying to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube.
The law, which takes effect a year from now, holds social media companies responsible for verifying kids' ages. Not complying could trigger fines up to nearly $50 million.
Why this matters to Australian families
The Jordan case highlights a disturbing trend where content creation is prioritised over child welfare. While this particular incident occurred in America, Australian families aren't immune to similar exploitation.
In 2022-2023, over 1 in 4 people aged 14 to 17 and nearly 1 in 2 people aged 18 to 24 in Australia had used electronic cigarettes/vapes at least once in their lifetime. This makes protecting young Australians from vaping-related content and exposure even more critical.
Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant uses a powerful analogy: 'I believe we should approach online safety the same way we have water safety. Decades ago, there were tragic backyard drownings in swimming pools. So Australia made a decisive decision that all pools would be fenced, and that would be backed by enforcement. But we don't try and fence the ocean because that's futile.'
Did you know?
Did you know?
Australia's new social media age restrictions are based on extensive research showing that 87 per cent of adult smokers got hooked on nicotine by age 18, and 95 per cent by age 21. The brain development research that informed these laws also applies to understanding why forcing children to vape - even 'just once' - can have lasting consequences.
What This Means For You
The digital age has created new opportunities for connection and creativity, but it's also opened new avenues for exploitation. Cases like Jordan's serve as stark reminders that protecting children requires constant vigilance and community action.
As Australia continues to lead the world in digital child protection, we must remember that legislation alone isn't enough. It takes all of us - parents, grandparents, community members, and responsible content creators - working together to ensure that childhood remains protected, both online and off.
What are your thoughts on the balance between creative freedom and child protection in the digital age? Have you noticed any trends in online content involving children? Share your perspectives in the comments below.
Original Article
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...an-video-child-vaping-apology-influencer.html
Fiona Jordan's Amazon Page
Cited text: Learn more about Fiona Jordan 's favourite products.
Excerpt: Jordan, who has 100,000 followers on Instagram and almost 600,000 on TikTok, came under fire after a clip of a young child smoking while in her care was posted on social media.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-199aeb54
fiona jordan's Amazon Page
Cited text: PRIME DAY 2024See all 92 items · 9 · Previous page · See all · Next page · NEWEST ORDER TIKTOKSee all 124 items · 4 · Previous page · See all · Next p...
Excerpt: Jordan, who has 100,000 followers on Instagram and almost 600,000 on TikTok, came under fire after a clip of a young child smoking while in her care was posted on social media.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-199aeb54
fiona jordan's Amazon Page
Cited text: Sorry, we couldn’t find what you’re looking for.
Excerpt: Jordan told her followers: 'I was not in the right state of mind. As a young girl, I was making a lot of reckless choices, and honestly I made a terrible decision.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-199aeb54
fiona jordan's Amazon Page
Cited text: ...
Excerpt: Jordan's father - William Jordan - is an officer with the Dunmore Police Department, according to public records.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-199aeb54
Results from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) | FDA
Cited text: FDA is committed to a science-based approach that addresses public health issues associated with tobacco use. We collaborate with CDC on this national...
Excerpt: The CDC warns that nicotine poses unique dangers to youth because their brains are still developing, with nicotine able to harm brain development which continues until about age 25.
https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-product...lts-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey-nyts
Electronic Cigarettes: Exposure and Use Among Pediatric Populations - PMC
Cited text: Secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions may be common. One survey of parents in the U.S. Midwest reported that e-cigarette use was reported in 12...
Excerpt: Children aged 4-12 years who were exposed to secondhand e-cigarette vapor showed significantly higher levels of metabolites linked to chemicals found in e-cigarette liquids compared to their unexposed peers.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5915214/
Social media age restrictions | eSafety Commissioner
Cited text: In June 2025, the eSafety Commissioner sent a letter to the Digital Industry Group (DIGI) expressing her view that safety and privacy do not have to b...
Excerpt: Australian health authorities are clear: 'As the contents of e-cigarettes can vary significantly, it is best to assume that second-hand vapour from every e-cigarette is harmful for children.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions
Social Media and Children 2024 Legislation
Cited text: As concerns arise regarding the effects of social media usage on children’s mental health, state legislators are introducing measures to protect child...
Excerpt: In 2024, Illinois became the first state to expand its child labor laws to cover child influencers and vloggers.
https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/social-media-and-children-2024-legislation
Minimum age for social media access to protect Australian kids | Prime Minister of Australia
Cited text: “We need to do everything we can to keep our kids safe, and wherever I go in Australia, I know one of the biggest issues worrying mums and dads is the...
Excerpt: The Albanese Labor Government announced that age-restricted social media platforms will face fines of up to $49…
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/minimum-age-social-media-access-protect-australian-kids
Social media ban for children under 16 in Australia becomes law : NPR
Cited text: Updated November 28, 202410:12 PM ET Originally published November 28, 20249:59 AM ET ... A teenager uses his mobile phone to access social media in S...
Excerpt: The law, which takes effect a year from now, holds social media companies responsible for verifying kids' ages.
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/28/g-s1-36142/australia-social-media-ban-children
Social media ban for children under 16 in Australia becomes law : NPR
Cited text: The amendments passed on Friday bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity docu...
Excerpt: Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant uses a powerful analogy: 'I believe we should approach online safety the same way we have water safety.
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/28/g-s1-36142/australia-social-media-ban-children
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