New Child Labor Law for Online Influencers in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – In a landmark move, Tennessee has introduced a new law mandating that influencers who feature children in their online content must share a portion of their earnings with those kids. This legislation is aimed at ensuring fair compensation and protection for minors who contribute to monetized digital content.

The Path to Legislation

The bill, designated as SB1469, has successfully passed through both the House and Senate and is now awaiting the signature of Governor Bill Lee. This law seeks to establish new child labor regulations to safeguard children heavily involved in monetized online platforms.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Under the provisions of the bill, there are several important stipulations:

• Minors under 14: Children under the age of 14 will not be permitted to profit from posting their own content online.
• Teen Creators: Those between the ages of 14 and 18 are entitled to retain 100% of the earnings from content they create independently.
• Compensation Requirements: If a child appears in at least 30% of a creator’s monetized content within any 30-day period, they must receive compensation. The law mandates that these earnings be placed in a trust until the child reaches the age of 18.
• Record Keeping: Content creators need to maintain detailed records, including how much money they earn, the extent of a child’s appearance in their content, and the amounts set aside in trust for the child.
• Content Removal: If a child aged 14 to 18 requests the removal of any video featuring them, the creator must comply and take down the content.

Enforcement and Impact

The enforcement of this law will occur through civil action, with no associated criminal penalties. Senator Page Walley, the primary sponsor of the bill, emphasized that this legislation is not aimed at casual sharing of videos but is specifically focused on monetized content where profits are being generated.

Advocacy for Child Protection

Walley stated, “We want kids to be kids, but when substantial monetary amounts are involved, it’s crucial to ensure children are protected and can benefit from their contributions later on.” He underscored the need for children to reap the advantages of their name, image, and likeness rights.

Legislation in Other States

Tennessee’s new law follows a trend set by other states such as Illinois, California, Minnesota, and Utah, all of which have enacted similar legislation aimed at the protection of minors in digital spaces.

Future of the Legislation

Pending the governor’s signature, this new law will come into effect on July 1, 2026, marking a significant step in the evolving landscape of digital content creation and the rights of child participants. This measure aims to ensure that the interests of young influencers are safeguarded, providing a balanced framework for their involvement in the booming online economy.

Nashville Enacts New Protections for Child Influencers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a significant move to safeguard young content creators, a new law will ensure that children featured in online content will receive compensation for their contributions. This legislative change reflects growing concerns about the welfare of minors in the age of digital monetization.

Legislative Background

The recently passed bill, known as SB1469, is now awaiting the signature of Governor Bill Lee after securing approval from both the House and Senate. The initiative aims to update child labor laws to better reflect the realities of online content creation.

Key Provisions of SB1469

The new regulations introduce specific rules for children involved in monetized digital content. Here are the major points of the legislation:

• Age Restrictions: Minors under 14 years old are prohibited from earning money through their own content.
• Teen Earnings: Those aged 14 to 18 will retain 100% of the revenue generated from their personally created content.
• Compensation for Appearance: If a child appears in at least 30% of a creator’s monetized videos over a month, they must be compensated, with funds deposited into a trust for the child’s future use.
• Record-Keeping: Content creators are required to maintain detailed logs of their earnings and the children featured in their videos.
• Content Removal: Teenagers who wish to have their videos removed can request deletion, and content creators must comply.

Enforcement and Compliance

The enforcement of these new laws will involve civil actions, with no criminal penalties attached. This approach aims to establish a framework that encourages compliance while protecting the rights of young creators.

Insights from Lawmakers

Senator Page Walley, a key sponsor of the bill, emphasized the necessity of this legislation. “This isn’t about casual sharing; it’s about monetizing content and generating profit,” he stated, highlighting the importance of protecting minors from exploitation.

Comparative Legislation in Other States

Similar legislative measures have been enacted in states like Illinois, California, Minnesota, and Utah, indicating a trend of heightened awareness regarding child welfare in the digital landscape.

Implementation Timeline

Once signed into law, the regulations will take effect on July 1, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for the industry and young content creators alike.