Multiple US States Push Child Influencer Protection Measures

Alisa Jno-Charles became concerned when she noticed her 9-year-old daughter watching videos from Ninja Kidz TV, a popular YouTube channel documenting nearly every aspect of the lives of four young siblings, raising questions about the ethics of child influencers or "kidfluencers." As the kidfluencing industry grows rapidly, state lawmakers are increasingly pushing for regulations to protect these children, focusing on fair compensation and giving children more control over the content they appear in. Proposed measures often require parents or account managers to place children's earnings into trust funds accessible when they reach adulthood. Jno-Charles, an assistant professor at Babson College, co-authored a study that describes kidfluencing as a new form of child labor, highlighting the potential exploitation in this unregulated industry. The absence of federal regulation has spurred states to consider legislation aimed at safeguarding children who cannot fully consent to or control their participation in social media influencing. These efforts reflect growing awareness of the lasting impact such exposure can have on children's privacy and development.