California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, just signed two bills into law meant to protect the earnings of children and teenagers involved in creating online content. The New York Times reported that some young influencers can make between $10,000 and $20,000 per post.
One of the legislation’s biggest supporters is singer Demi Lovato. She recently went on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” to call on Gov. Newsom to sign these bills.
“In order to make things different for future generations, there have to be protections put in place for minors of the digital age,” Lovato said.
“So we’re talking about families who are profiting off of social media, you know, minors need to be compensated for that. And there’s actually a bill on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk right now. He has until September 30 to sign it. And it advocates for the compensation of minors working on social media. Let’s go. Let’s get that signed and moving. Let’s go. Let’s go.” She continued.
And Newsom was watching. He discussed the issue with Lovato on the latest episode of his podcast, “Politickin’,” with cohosts Marshawn Lynch and Doug Hendrickson.
“She was attacking me Doug, on Fallon,” Newsom jokingly said on the podcast. “She’s saying, ‘This Newsom guy, we’re gonna track him down.’ And I think Fallon also said, ‘Newsom’s watching’ or something. I’m like, Jesus, this is next level pressure.”
But it seemed to get his attention. A video posted to the Democratic governor’s YouTube channel on Thursday, Sept. 26, showed him signing the legislation alongside Lovato.
One of the bills requires parents and guardians who feature their children in at least 30% of their online videos to set aside a percentage of earnings in trust accounts. Straight Arrow News reported on a similar law in Illinois that took effect in July.
The other bill expands on a law passed decades ago that protects child actors. Lovato, who rose to fame as a child actor on the Disney Channel released a documentary on Hulu this month titled “Child Star,” which took a close look at what it’s like growing up in front of the cameras, the good and the bad.
In their video, Newsom and Lovato explain how a child actor from a century ago who starred in Charlie Chaplin films is helping the social media creators of today.
“People don’t know who Jackie Coogan was,” Newsom said. “We wouldn’t be here. We’re building off Coogan’s Law. An actor back in the 1920s.”
This second bill expands the Coogan Law to include young creators who made content themselves for platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Under this law, 15% of a child actor’s earnings is put away in trusts until they turn 18.
Lovato is hoping her influence that helped create these new laws will lead to similar legislation across the country.
