The Monetization of Childhood: How Child Social Media Stars are Unprotected from Exploitation in the United States

Authors

Jessica Pacht-Friedman, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Abstract

The note highlights the legal vulnerabilities of child social media influencers, or "kidfluencers," who are increasingly exploited due to inadequate protections under U.S. labor laws. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempts child performers, and while some states have Coogan Laws, these are insufficient to address the unique challenges posed by digital platforms like YouTube. The author advocates for expanding these protections to include social media stars and adopting a "Right to be Forgotten" to safeguard children's privacy and financial interests.

Disciplines

Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law | Intellectual Property Law | Labor and Employment Law | Law

Recommended Citation

Jessica Pacht-Friedman, The Monetization of Childhood: How Child Social Media Stars are Unprotected from Exploitation in the United States, 28 Cardozo J. Equal Rts. & Soc. Just. 361 (2022).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cardozoersj/vol28/iss2/5