Should there be regulations regarding children in the music industry?

Abstract  

This paper will look into regulations regarding children in the music industry and the ramifications of past child stars as a result. Law in other areas of entertainment will be examined and applied to the music industry.  

Literature review  

In the UK, regulations protect children in entertainment. In the US, state-specific laws apply, children are exempt from federal labor laws, which leads me to believe in an increase of risk of loopholes and overworking. 

The problems with social media child stars are coming to light, including “kidfluencing, a type of family entrepreneurship meaning that it is strained by the competing goals of being a family and an opportunity seeking venture” (Clark, Charles, ‘The child labour in social media: kidfluencers, ethics of care and exploitation’, 2025). Coogans law results in a portion of the money made by children being transferred to a trust fund, although loopholes have occurred. Deferentially, this law does not apply to YouTube families, as mentioned in the book “the house of my mother” by Shari Franke, who now advocates to change this.  

In a study researching the link between fame and risk taking, substance abuse and premature mortality, it was found that “cause of death was more likely substance use, or risk related in those with more adverse childhood experiences” (Dying to be famous: retrospective cohort study of rock and pop star mortality and its association with adverse childhood experiences, 2012). 

Child pop stars like Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber have shared their struggles with fame and the psychological issues it brings, as seen in the song "monster" by Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber. 

In the UK, the NNCEE has regulations to safeguard children in music. In the US, it varies by state, but California and New York have the most detailed guidelines for children in entertainment. Australia treats child performers more like children than adults, with stricter laws in place. 

Methodology 

This research investigates the law and regulations behind children in the music industry by comparing the regulations in the film industry and in social media influencing. As well as comparing the differences between the UK, US and Australia. 

My research includes quantitative studies as well as qualitative case studies. This mixed method approach offers a well-rounded understanding on the topic. The data was collected through a mix of academic papers, studies and government organisations.  

I did a thematic analysis on my data by finding the links between the law and regulations in each area of entertainment. In which I found that child actors and child performers follow similar regulations as there are crossovers.  

This research focuses more on US child protection laws in music as the laws in the US are less restrictive than the UK allowing for controversial leeways.  

Conclusion  

The exploitation of children in the music industry weather its financial or sexual exploitation or overworking was a theme especially in the prime era of Disney channel. It was almost a normality to treat child stars as fully grown adults inevitably overlapping into their personal lives and turning to substance abuse or worse as a coping mechanism. I’ve found that the US and UK treat children in entertainment as adults in comparison to Australia who have strict laws for children as they are acknowledged not as working adults but children. 

Despite existing laws, people often find loopholes or violate them. Stricter laws and harsher consequences are needed specifically in the US to avoid history repeating itself. 

Reference list 

Bellis, A., Hughs, K., Sharples, O., Hennell, T and Hardcastle K (2012)  Dying to be famous: retrospective cohort study of rock and pop star mortality and its association with adverse childhood experiences. BMJ Open. Available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/6/e002089.info (Accessed: 12 March 2025). 

Clark, D and Charles A. (2025) ‘The child labour in social media: kidfluencers, ethics of care and exploitation’, Journal of business ethics. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-025-05953-7#citeas (Accessed: 12 March 2025).