Pop star Demi Lovato and California Governor Gavin Newsom have taken a significant step towards protecting the financial security of young social media influencers. The governor signed two bills into law, ensuring financial protections for child stars in the digital age.
The new laws aim to safeguard young influencers from financial exploitation and ensure their earnings are managed responsibly. Lovato, who has long been an advocate for child stars, expressed her gratitude for the legislation.
Legislation Aimed at Protecting Young Influencers
On Thursday, the California Governor signed two groundbreaking bills designed to protect young social media influencers and performers. These laws address the modern exploitation seen on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. “A lot has changed since Hollywood’s early days, but here in California, our laser focus on protecting kids from exploitation remains the same,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement.
The first bill, SB 764, requires that a percentage of earnings from monetized content be placed in trust accounts, safeguarding minors’ financial interests. The second bill, AB 1880, expands protections under California’s Coogan Law to include children working as content creators. These steps aim to provide a safer, more regulated environment for young influencers, preventing financial abuse and ensuring they benefit from their hard work.
Demi Lovato’s Advocacy
Demi Lovato has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of child performers, a cause highlighted in her Hulu documentary, ‘Child Star.’ In this directorial debut, Lovato explores the challenges young entertainers face. In a recent interview, Lovato referred to the industry as “the wild, wild west in the digital age,” pointing out the stark differences from her own early career in the 1990s and 2000s.
Lovato’s own journey from ‘Barney and Friends’ to Disney Channel stardom gave her firsthand insight into the pressures and exploitation child stars often face. She believes that the rapid growth of digital platforms has created new, unregulated arenas where young talents can be easily exploited.
The Role of Advocacy Groups
In creating these measures, Lovato collaborated with youth activist Chris McCarty, head of the advocacy organization Quick Clicking Kids. This group played a crucial role in pushing the legislation forward, highlighting the urgent need for updated laws to address the digital landscape’s challenges.
McCarty and Lovato’s partnership underscores the power of advocacy and celebrity influence in driving legislative change. Their combined efforts culminated in the governor’s signing of the bills, setting a new standard for protecting young online performers.
Financial Protections for Child Influencers
SB 764 and AB 1880 are set to bring about significant changes. SB 764 mandates that parents or guardians set aside a portion of their child’s earnings in trust accounts, ensuring minors have access to these funds once they reach adulthood. This legislation mirrors protections long in place for child actors, adapting them to the modern digital economy.
AB 1880 broadens the scope of California’s Coogan Law, originally designed to protect child actors’ earnings from parental misuse. By extending these safeguards to child influencers and content creators, the new law acknowledges the evolving nature of entertainment and the importance of protecting young digital talents.
Industry Reactions and Support
The passage of these bills has been widely praised within the entertainment industry. SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, has commended the legislation for extending crucial protections to a new generation of performers. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director, stated, “Regardless of medium or platform, all child performers must be strongly protected.”
The union’s support highlights the growing recognition of the unique challenges faced by young influencers. The new laws not only aim to safeguard their financial futures but also set a precedent for other states to follow in offering similar protections.
Future Implications of the Legislation
These newly signed laws signify a forward-thinking approach to child labor in entertainment, potentially inspiring further legislative action both in California and nationwide. Lovato has expressed her hope to bring these issues to Capitol Hill, aiming for federal-level protections.
By addressing the specific risks faced by young influencers, California is pioneering new standards. This legislation could trigger broader discussions on child welfare in digital media, encouraging other states to adopt similar measures.
A Step Towards Ethical Digital Practices
The signing of these bills is a milestone in the ongoing effort to create ethical practices within the digital realm. Ensuring young influencers are properly compensated and protected from exploitation marks a significant achievement in media regulation.
These laws will serve as a model, demonstrating that safeguarding children in all forms of media is both necessary and attainable. The cooperation between lawmakers, activists, and industry professionals is pivotal in this journey towards a more ethical and secure digital landscape.
The new legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, supported by Demi Lovato, marks a significant step in protecting young social media influencers from financial exploitation. By ensuring financial safeguards and extending existing protections to digital platforms, California is setting a precedent for the entertainment industry.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, these laws highlight the importance of adapting regulations to address new challenges, ensuring that young performers are treated fairly and their futures are secured.
