The Untapped Legal Minefield: Protecting Child Influencers Online

Child Influencers: A Growing Concern. The digital age has created new opportunities for children to earn money through social media, but it has also brought new risks. Many child influencers lack the legal protections afforded to child actors, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. One recent example involves a young girl who went viral dancing, attracting disturbing comments from adults. While the Coogan Law exists to protect child actors' finances, its application to influencers is limited. Several states are working to address this gap, but the process is slow. Experts say the focus should not only be on the financial aspects but also on the emotional well-being and rights of these children. "It's not just about the money," says [Expert quote], "It's about protecting their childhood and their right to say no."