Georgia lawmakers are considering new legislation designed to safeguard the interests of child influencers on popular social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. Representative Kim Schofield (D-Georgia) has proposed Georgia House Bill 968, which mandates that a minimum of 15% of earnings from content featuring children in 30% or more of the video material be set aside in an account accessible only once the child reaches 18 years of age.
Schofield emphasized the need to protect young performers, noting the growing trend of parents managing their children’s social media presence, often without the child’s input on financial matters. The legislation aims to ensure that child influencers are fairly compensated and have access to their earnings when they come of age.
Tech expert Phil Yanov underscored the significant financial potential of the influencer industry, highlighting the possibility of life-changing wealth for a select few. Drawing parallels to the Coogan Act, which has safeguarded young actors in Hollywood for decades, Schofield expressed her intention to model Georgia’s regulations on Illinois’ recent legislation.
Illinois became the first state to enact protections for child influencers, setting a precedent for other states to follow. Schofield emphasized that the proposed regulations are not intended to stifle creativity but rather to safeguard the well-being of children involved in influencer activities.
Efforts to reach out to several child influencers accounts for comments on the proposed legislation were unsuccessful. WYFF News 4 will continue to monitor the bill’s progress through the legislative process and provide updates as it advances.
The proposed Georgia social media bill reflects a growing recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by child influencers in the digital age. By establishing guidelines for influencer earnings allocation and working hours, lawmakers aim to create a supportive environment that balances creative expression with child welfare. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, stakeholders, including parents, social media platforms, and advocacy groups, are likely to engage in discussions to shape the final framework for protecting child influencers in Georgia.
