Regulating Child Influencers in India: Bridging Child Protection and the Creator Economy

The rapid growth of social media platforms and the creator economy have led to the emergence of child influencers, who create monetised content on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and other digital platforms. Though this provides children with opportunities for creativity and participation, but it also raises concerns regarding their education, privacy, working conditions, exploitation and financial rights. In India, the Guidelines for Child and Adolescent Participation in the Entertainment Industry and Any Commercial Entertainment Activity, 2023, issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), provides certain safeguards for children engaged in monetised social media content, including the criteria that at least 20% of their income is to be deposited in a fixed deposit in the child’s name. However, questions arise regarding the management and protection of the remaining income (80%) and the extent of parental control over such earnings. This paper critically examines the existing Indian legal framework governing child influencers and evaluates whether it protects their financial rights and welfare interests. Furthermore, it analyses the French model, which talks particularly about the protection of children's earnings through social media platform. The study identifies gaps in financial accountability and independent oversight and suggest reforms that aims at ensuring that the creator economy remains an opportunity for children without becoming a means of exploitation.