parliament adopts a law to regulate their work

On Tuesday, October 6, the parliament unanimously adopted a law aimed at regulating the working hours and the remuneration of children "influencers" under 16 years of age.

Whether they are on Instagram, Youtube or even TikTok, child "influencers" have so far not benefited from the protection of labor law. On Tuesday, October 6, parliament finally adopted a draft LRM law aimed at regulating videos featuring minors under the age of 16. A text voted unanimously in the National Assembly, and welcomed by all deputies.

What does the text say?

According to the AFP relayed by Le Monde, this bill above all makes it possible to regulate the hours and income of children whose images are broadcast on video platforms and sometimes viewed millions of times. As the phenomenon of child “influencers” is fairly recent, there was a real legal vacuum at this level.

From now on :

  • If the employment relationship is established, the text provides for extending the system governing the work of children in shows or child models. Working hours will then be limited depending on the age of the child and any remuneration placed with the Caisse des Dépôts and not accessible before the age of 18.
  • In the case of a "gray area", that is, if the working relationship has not been established, the text provides for a declaration based on a double threshold: time spent by the child on videos and income earned.

In addition, the bill also provides for a "right to be forgotten". Clearly, if a child requests it, the video platform will be forced to remove its content.

Still according to AFP, video platforms will be encouraged to adopt charters aimed at improving the fight against illegal commercial exploitation of the image of minors under 16 years of age. Their role will also be to inform children "influencers" about the legislation in force and to report any violation of their dignity, physical or moral integrity.

No to harassment: influencers speak out for a good cause

Video by Laetitia Azi