Parents ‘exploiting’ online child stars

CHILD influencers are being “exploited” by parents to make money on social media with “lifelong consequences”, MPS have warned.

They are calling for tighter labour laws after an investigation found young internet stars on platforms such as Youtube, Tiktok and Instagram, are being subjected to kidnap threats and harassment at fan meet-and-greets.

A report by the digital, culture, media and sport committee found some witnesses were concerned “that some children in the influencer economy are being used by parents and family members seeking to capitalise on the lucrative child and family influencing market”.

It added: “As with other influencers, monetising successful child and family influencer profiles can be the primary source of income for a family.

“It is well understood that fame at a young age can have damaging effects on a child’s development. The precise effect of social media fame, which can be constant and far more personal, has not yet been explored. However, there is evidence that social media fame can have serious mental consequences.”

Having scrutinised the regulation and employment protection surrounding the “murky world” of influencer culture, MPS found it has “failed to keep pace” with the “booming” practice.

They recommended that the Government urgently addresses the gap in UK child labour and performance regulation “that is leaving child influencers without protection”.

MPS are pressing for new laws that bring the child’s labour arrangements – including working hours and protection of earnings – under the oversight of local authorities.

A government spokesman said its “world-leading” Online Safety Bill “will make social media platforms accountable for protecting young people” and create a “safer” advertising market.