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In a ground-breaking move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law two bills to safeguard child influencers’ rights. Joining him on this momentous occasion was former child star and activist, Demi Lovato, who has long advocated for child protection in the entertainment industry.
This new child influencer bill is a modern extension of the historic Coogan Law, designed to protect children from exploitation, especially in today’s digital age.
With social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube now serving as stages for young content creators, these laws are critical to address the growing concerns around children’s financial rights and well-being.
What is the Coogan Law?
The Coogan Law, passed in the 1930s, was established to protect child actors from financial exploitation by ensuring a portion of their earnings was set aside in a trust until they became adults. Its namesake, Jackie Coogan, was a successful child star whose parents spent the bulk of his earnings, leading to the law’s creation.
As Governor Gavin Newsom stated, “A lot has changed since Hollywood’s early days, but here in California, our laser focus on protecting kids from exploitation remains the same. In old Hollywood, child actors were exploited. In 2024, it’s now child influencers. Today, that modern exploitation ends through two new laws to protect young influencers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms.”
The Coogan Law now serves as the backbone for these new bills. This legislation recognizes that the digital world presents unique challenges, and children’s rights must be updated accordingly.
What is the New California Child Influencer Law?
The new child influencer law, which encompasses Assembly Bill 1800 and Senate Bill 764, aims to bring further protections for children who work as social media influencers.
The legislation requires parents or guardians to set aside a portion of the income generated by their child’s online content. In essence, this is an expansion of the Coogan Law into the digital space.
Demi Lovato, a strong advocate for the legislation, remarked, “In order to build a better future for the next generation of child stars, we need to put protections in place for minors working in the digital space. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for taking action with this update to the Coogan Law that will ensure children featured on social media are granted agency when they come of age and are properly compensated for the use of their name and likeness.”
Similar to a law passed earlier in Illinois, California’s legislation mandates that children’s earnings be properly managed.
Parents are now legally obligated to set aside a portion of this income in accounts that the child can access once they come of age.
This move addresses a growing concern that some parents may be exploiting their children’s digital fame for financial gain.
The Business of Child Influencers
With the rise of social media, child influencers have become a profitable business. Parents, sometimes referred to as “sharents” (a combination of sharing and parenting), often manage their child’s accounts, sometimes with the child earning substantial income through brand deals, sponsored posts, and advertising.
The business of child content creators has grown so much that it has raised alarms. The term “sharenting“ refers to parents who monetize their children’s lives by sharing personal details or images online, often without fully considering the long-term consequences.
While many parents do so with good intentions, the potential for exploitation is real. The new California law acknowledges this growing issue and aims to prevent the misuse of children’s earnings and personal rights.
Implications for the Child Influencer Economy
As child influencers gain popularity, these laws could have far-reaching implications for the future of the digital economy. The new protections could inspire similar laws across the United States and beyond.
Already, countries like France have introduced legislation that addresses the protection of minors featured in online content. As more states and nations begin to recognize the unique vulnerabilities of child influencers, a broader shift toward more rigorous regulations seems likely.
Experts believe that these laws are just the beginning. They argue that as the line between fame and privacy continues to blur, more needs to be done to protect children from online exploitation by their parents or guardians.
The successful passing of the California Child Influencer Bill could serve as a model for others, helping ensure that young content creators’ rights are safeguarded.
Conclusion
The California Child Influencer Law represents a significant milestone in the fight to protect children in the digital age.
By expanding the protections of the Coogan Law and recognizing the modern challenges children face in the influencer economy, the state is taking crucial steps toward ensuring these young stars are not exploited.
The momentum created by these legislative changes gives hope that more states and countries will follow suit, building a future where children’s financial security and personal rights are protected, both on and off the screen.
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