CWC to Dole: Regulate child vloggers, influencers amid exploitation risk

MANILA, Philippines — The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) has urged the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to regulate vlogs and online content featuring children over concerns of child abuse and exploitation.

In an interview on state-run PTV on Monday, CWC executive director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said there is currently no regulation covering children appearing in social media content, unlike those in the modeling and show business industries.

“If a child can no longer play or attend school, and their normal development is being impeded because of vlogging or content creation, then there could already be abuse. The Dole should step in and regulate this,” he added.

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According to Tapales, while child models and celebrities are covered by work permits, children involved in online vlogging and in the creation of online social media content remain a “gray area.”

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READ: Who protects children in the age of content?

Under Republic Act No. 9231, or the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” which was enacted in 2023, employers must first secure a work permit from Dole before engaging children below 15 years old in public entertainment.

Tapales said the CWC is open to working with Dole to create a regulation for online content involving kids.

He urged the public to contact CWC’s Makabata Helpline 1383 for suspected cases of child abuse, including violence against children, sexual exploitation, child labor, and other forms of exploitation.

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Tips and anonymous reports are also accepted in the 24/7 helpline.

Reports submitted through the hotline remain confidential, and that informants would not be placed at risk, Tapales said, noting that submissions are subject to verification and proper investigation to ensure appropriate action is taken.

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In October 2020, France became one of the first countries to introduce a national law regulating the online commercial use of children’s images.

The legislation requires parental authorization and government approval before minors under 16 years old can participate in monetized video content, which is considered a form of labor.

READ: Children are not celebrities: Stop posting photos of minors on the internet

It also addresses the so-called “grey zone,” mandating declarations for children who spend significant time creating content or earn substantial income.

Under the law, which came into force in April 2021, “influencer” children on Youtube, TikTok, Instagram, and other online platforms shall be protected by the French Labor Code in a manner similar to child models or child actors.

The law mandates that a portion of the child’s earnings must be placed in a protected savings account.

Minors also gain the legal right to request content removal, asserting their “right to be forgotten” without parental consent. — With a report from Andre Esguerra, intern

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