Protection of child influencers: international experience and ways of regulation in Ukraine

Abstract

In today’s world, children are becoming more and more influential by actively creating content on social media. This trend is growing rapidly, as young influencers can reach millions and influence the behavior of their audience. While this can lead to significant financial benefits for both children and their families, it also raises serious concerns about their legal protection and overall health - both physical and mental. Given the widespread use of social media, careful consideration of this situation is needed, as those who influence children are often exposed to environments that may be detrimental to their well- being. In view of these challenges, there is an urgent need to develop and implement effective legislation that guarantees the protection of children’s rights, ensures proper working conditions and protects them from various forms of exploitation. This article addresses the important issue of regulating the influence on children, which is becoming increasingly relevant as the influence of social media expands. Young influencers on the Internet face numerous risks, including exploitation, manipulation by parents or companies, as well as the pressure of overwork and psychological stress due to a demanding schedule. The article offers a comparative analysis of legislative measures taken by France and the United States that have begun to address these issues. The key aspects of legal protection for children involved in the creation of commercial content are explored, such as limiting working hours, ensuring access to education, providing psychological support, and promoting financial transparency. The study aims to emphasize the need to create an international framework for the regulation of child labor in the digital sphere and to offer recommendations for improving both national and international legislation. The article proposes to create specialized institutions to monitor compliance with legislation that protects children’s rights to leisure, education and personal development.