Singing songs, unboxing toys, cracking one-liners: So-called “kidfluencers” are everywhere online. The trend has folks asking, Who’s making the money?
Shreya Nallamothu noticed a pattern on social media: young children performing for the camera. The teen admits, “It seemed innocuous to me at first.” But she started to wonder who was looking out for those youngsters. “I realized that there was absolutely zero legislation in place to protect them,” Nallamothu says.
Kidfluencing is the term for creating online content using children. Kid content that goes viral—videos, photos, etc.—usually finds sponsors. Someone is making money. But often, it’s not the children.
“This new digital era has allowed children to find ways to make money online from the content they make,” Illinois Senator Dave Koehler says. However, “many parents . . . pocket the money themselves and encourage their children to make more content for their benefit.”
Jessica Maddox studies social media. She believes kidfluencers need legal safeguards just like other workers.
The Bible says, “The laborer deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18) and that workers should be treated “justly and fairly.” (Colossians 4:1) Most children aren’t suffering as kidfluencers. But they are being asked to perform, and sometimes to their harm.
Family-style video blogs (vlogs) often feature children as early as birth. They recount milestones and family events. Experts say adult sharing of family life can earn content creators tens of thousands of dollars. But videos of private moments such as failures or adoptions can quickly become uncomfortable for maturing youngsters.
Koehler says, “This is a child labor issue that didn’t exist 10 years ago.”
Former child reality TV stars offer insight on the issue. Jason Welage was a preteen on a show about go-kart racing. Now 20, he says, “When you Google the show, the first clip that comes up on YouTube is me coming off the track and crying,” he says. “I still hear about it.”
Nallamothu, now 15, contacted Koehler about her concerns. She pushed for a new bill. It would entitle influencers under 16 to part of their earnings. The new legislation falls under the federal Child Labor Law.
The bill passed both the Illinois Senate and House last spring. Parents or guardians must keep records and set aside earnings for when their children turn 18.
Welage’s mother says appearing on social media or TV is “definitely work.” Jason “wanted to go play, but instead he had to . . . do interviews.” She adds, “There should be something to compensate the child.”
Why? Content creators are image-bearers of God whom Jesus loves and gave Himself for. That should make us all recognize their limits and view them with compassion and dignity, but not see them as idols to worship or products to consume.
