COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers are looking to protect kid influencers in a newly filed bill.
“Without this legislation Ohio children will be vulnerable to exploitation,” said Representative Lauren McNally.
Representative McNally said they want to protect the rights and protections of children through this bill. She said social media is a business, and should be treated that way.
“What we can’t do is monetize children at the expense of their childhood. We can’t treat the business of social media differently than other Ohio businesses,” said Rep. McNally.
In the bill, parents are responsible for putting half the percentage of time the kid appears in the vlog times the gross earnings of that vlog for the calendar year into a trust fund. Then, the kid can access that trust when they turn 18.
“We should set aside money for them, so they are fairly compensated for work they do on TikTok and YouTube,” said Rep. Michele Grim.
Alyson Stoner, a former child actor and Ohio native, is supporting the bill. She knows what it's like to not get money as a kid for your work.
“200 films and projects later as an adult I discovered 0 dollars in a bank account due to my finances unknowingly being mishandled,” said Stoner.
Stoner said the social media landscape broadens the opportunities for kids to make money. She feels lawmakers need to protect the children.
“Damage and harm have already taken place and the issue will only continue to blossom. It’s worth getting ahead before we watch a new form of child exploitation take place on our phones,” said Stoner.