New law entitles child social media influencers to a percentage of earnings: ‘It’s kind of a new world’
New law entitles child social media influencers to a percentage of earnings: ‘It’s kind of a new world’ Fortune
sdgtalks
Illinois Becomes First State to Compensate Child Social Media Influencers
Illinois has become the first state in the U.S. to ensure that child social media influencers are compensated for their work. The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Koehler of Peoria, was signed into law and will go into effect on July 1, 2024.
Child Social Media Influencers to Receive Compensation
Sen. David Koehler stated that the rise of social media has provided children with new opportunities to earn a profit. However, many parents have been taking advantage of this opportunity by keeping the money for themselves while making their children continue to work in these digital environments.
Law Brought Forward by a 15-Year-Old
The idea for the law was brought to Sen. Koehler by a 15-year-old in his district. The law covers children under the age of 16 who are featured in monetized online platforms, including video blogs (vlogs).
Concerns Over Exploitation of Child Influencers
Family vlogs often share intimate details of their children’s lives, which can include grades, potty training, illnesses, misbehaviors, and even first periods. These vlogs can generate significant revenue through brand deals, but there are currently minimal regulations in place to protect children from potential harm caused by the “sharenthood” industry.
Potential Impact on Other States
While many states already require parents to set aside earnings for child entertainers in traditional settings such as movies and television, Illinois’ law specifically targets social media influencers. Other states, such as California and New York, may consider implementing similar legislation due to their high volume of family vloggers and social media influencers.
Details of the Illinois Law
The Illinois law entitles child influencers to a percentage of earnings based on their appearances in video blogs or online content that generates at least 10 cents per view. To qualify, the content must be created in Illinois, and children must be featured in at least 30% of the content within a 30-day period. Vloggers are responsible for maintaining records of children’s appearances and must set aside gross earnings in a trust account for the child’s future use.
Protecting Children from Exploitation
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s spokesperson emphasized that children deserve to be shielded from parents who would take advantage of their talents for financial gain. The legislation aims to protect child influencers from exploitation.
Efforts in Other States
While Illinois has successfully passed this legislation, other Democratic-led states have faced challenges in regulating the child influencer industry. However, advocates hope that the momentum generated by Illinois’ law will encourage other states to follow suit.
Focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Conclusion
The new law in Illinois marks a significant step in protecting child social media influencers and ensuring they are compensated for their work. It sets an example for other states to prioritize the well-being and rights of child influencers, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations.
Sources:
- AP News – Illinois Law Ensures Compensation for Child Social Media Influencers
- AP News – The Harmful Effects of the “Sharenthood” Industry on Children
- Illinois General Assembly – Full Text of the Illinois Law
- Report for America – Nonprofit National Service Program
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve child labor, exploitation, and the need for regulations to protect children’s rights and ensure fair compensation.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
- SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article as they aim to address poverty, ensure quality education, promote decent work, reduce inequalities, and protect children’s rights.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Percentage of child influencers compensated for their work
- Percentage of earnings child influencers are entitled to based on their appearances in monetized online content
- Number of states implementing similar legislation to protect child influencers
- Number of child influencers featured in at least 30% of the content in a 30-day period
- Number of child influencers with trust accounts set aside for their earnings
These indicators can be used to track the progress made in addressing child labor, ensuring fair compensation, and protecting children’s rights in the context of social media influencer industry.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. | Percentage of child influencers compensated for their work |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Number of child influencers with trust accounts set aside for their earnings |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms. | Percentage of earnings child influencers are entitled to based on their appearances in monetized online content |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. | Number of states implementing similar legislation to protect child influencers |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Number of child influencers featured in at least 30% of the content in a 30-day period |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: fortune.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
