07/04/2024
New Illinois Law Protects Child Social Media Stars
Starting July 1, 2024, Illinois has implemented a groundbreaking law to protect children featured in monetized social media content. If a child under 16 appears in at least 30% of a video or online content within a 30-day period, and the parent or guardian is compensated, the child must receive a portion of the earnings. These funds are to be placed in a trust account, accessible when the child turns 18.
Over the past year, we've seen parents investing thousands of dollars in equipment to capture action shots of their kids for public Instagram and Facebook accounts aiming to build a following. This new law ensures that children who contribute to these popular accounts are fairly compensated for their efforts.
This law was introduced to address concerns about the exploitation of children in the rapidly growing world of social media influencing. Family vlogs and social media accounts featuring children have become increasingly popular, turning into lucrative businesses. The law aims to protect children from being exploited for financial gain without proper compensation.
Advocacy from young people, like Illinois teenager Shreya Nallamothu, played a significant role in pushing for this legislation. Influencers with large followings can earn substantial amounts from sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, selling products and services, and receiving payments from social media platforms. This law ensures that children who contribute to these earnings are fairly compensated.
Illinois is the first state in the U.S. to enact such a law, setting a precedent that could inspire similar legislation in other states.
For more information on how this law might affect you, contact Northsidelawyers.com.
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