New Law Protects Money Children Make as Influencers
Ask students: Where are children's profits for their work as entertainers already protected? Why did the new law in Illinois come to exist?
Legislative efforts to protect children online typically center on their privacy. But thanks to the efforts of an Illinois teenager, the finances of some of the youngest digital workers could also be better protected in the future. Lisa Desjardins reports.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
Discussion Questions
- What is an "influencer"?
- Who is Shreya Nallamothu, and what is her background?
- Where are children's profits for their work as entertainers already protected?
- Why did the new law in Illinois come to exist?
- How will the new law protect money made by children in the state?
Focus Questions
Do you think other legal protections are needed for kids who have a presence online as influencers, creators, or artists? If so, what protections do you think are needed?
Media literacy: Journalists have a limited amount of time to ask questions, one of the long-time challenges of news reporting. What additional questions would you have asked the guests if you were reporting this story?
Extension Discussion
Discuss as a class: If you were to advocate for one new law to protect students online, what would it be, and why?
- Want to learn how to make media yourself? Check out Storymaker resources for students for tutorials, tips, and prompts for making your own stories.
Digital Wellbeing and Social Media
Use this collection of preK-16 resources to dive deeper on the algorithmic biases that can cause direct harm to young people as well as foster literacy and safety online.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
