California Takes Historic Step to Protect Children in Social Media
Historic Coogan Law Expands to Cover Young Social Media Stars, Ensuring Fair Compensation in the Digital Age
In a landmark move for children’s rights in the digital age, California has extended its Coogan Law protections to minors featured in social media content, effective January 1, 2025. This legislation marks a significant shift in how we protect children’s financial interests in the era of child, tween, and teen social media influencers.
What Is The Coogan Law?
The original Coogan Law, enacted in 1939, was inspired by child actor Jackie Coogan, who starred alongside Charlie Chaplin in “The Kid” (1921). Upon turning 21, Coogan discovered his family had spent his earnings, leading to legislation requiring parents to establish trust funds for child performers.
Under the new laws signed by Governor Newsom that expand the original Coogan Law, children who appear on California-based content creators’ platforms — including YouTube vlogs, podcasts, social media, and streams — will have similar protections.
Parents must set aside at least 15% of their children's gross earnings in trust accounts, ensuring these young content creators have financial security for their future.
“A lot has changed since Hollywood’s early days, but here in California, our laser focus on protecting kids from exploitation remains the same. In old Hollywood, child actors were exploited. In 2024, it’s now child influencers. Today, that modern exploitation ends through two new laws to protect young influencers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms.”
— Governor Gavin Newsom
Alignment with Child Rights by Design
The legislation embodies Principle 11 of Child Rights by Design: the Right to Agency. This principle recognizes that children should be able to make informed decisions about their digital presence and engagement.
The law upholds two fundamental children’s rights:
🔸Protection from economic exploitation, ensuring fair compensation for their digital presence
🔸Protection from general exploitation, safeguarding children’s welfare and development in the online space
Agency in the digital space means children can engage with online platforms without manipulation or exploitation while their economic interests are protected. This approach acknowledges that children are not just passive participants in social media content, but individuals with rights that must be respected and protected.
Setting a National Precedent
While these protections only apply to California residents, they establish an important precedent for other states. The law recognizes children’s right to agency in the digital world — their ability to make informed decisions about their online presence and engage with digital platforms without manipulation or exploitation.
This groundbreaking legislation represents a crucial step in adapting child labor protections for the digital age, ensuring that children’s rights and interests are protected as technology evolves.
Derek E. Baird, M.Ed., is the former Chief Youth & Privacy Officer at BeMe Health. He is the author of The Gen Z Frequency, available in English, German, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, and Chinese editions on Amazon, Blinkist, or wherever you buy books.
