Illinois has become the first state in the country to pass a law entitling child influencers to compensation for being featured in their parents’ and guardians’ work on social media. The law, signed last summer, requires families to set up a trust fund for children under 18 who appear in monetized family vlogs. This move is part of a broader movement led by young people who grew up in the digital age, advocating for greater protections for children online. The law was inspired by a teen from Normal, Illinois, who brought the issue to the attention of state Senator David Koehler.
Advocates hope to eventually see federal legislation and give children the right to have their images and information erased from the internet. Youth advocates like Shreya Nallamothu and Chris McCarty are leading the charge, emphasizing the importance of protecting child influencers from exploitation and ensuring their social and mental well-being. This new generation is using their experiences and knowledge of social media to push for change in online child privacy laws.
Leah Plunkett, author of “Sharenthood,” discusses the concept of sharenting and the need for parents to be mindful of their children’s privacy online. The movement for child privacy is gaining momentum, with young advocates like McCarty and Plunkett working towards creating a safer and more protective online space for children. As more young people grow up in a digital world, the hope is that laws like the one in Illinois will pave the way for a more secure and ethical online environment for the next generation of kids.
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