Tennessee Passes SB1469 to Regulate Family Influencers and Protect Child Creators
Tennessee is strengthening its child labor laws to address the rise of “family influencers” and monetized online content. The legislature recently passed SB1469, a bill designed to ensure children who feature prominently in profit-generating social media content are fairly compensated and protected.
- SB1469 requires creators to pay children a portion of earnings if they appear in at least 30% of monetized content over 30 days.
- Funds must be placed in a trust accessible to the child at age 18.
- Teens aged 14-18 are entitled to 100% of earnings from content they post themselves.
- The law provides a “right to be forgotten,” allowing teens to request the deletion of their videos.
Understanding SB1469: How the New Regulations Work
The new legislation, sponsored by Senator Page Walley (R-Bolivar), targets the monetization of children’s “name, image, and likeness.” While the law does not apply to casual family videos or holiday posts, it creates strict requirements for those selling content featuring children.
Compensation and Trust Funds
Under the new rules, if a child appears in 30 percent or more of a creator’s monetized content within a 30-day window, they must be compensated. To prevent the misuse of these funds, the bill mandates that the money be set aside in a trust, which the child can access upon turning 18.
Age-Specific Rules
- Children under 14: Are prohibited from making money from posting their own content.
- Teens (14-18): Are entitled to 100% of the revenue generated from content they post themselves.
Creator Responsibilities and Enforcement
Content creators are now required to maintain detailed records to ensure compliance. This includes tracking total earnings, the percentage of content featuring the child, and the specific amounts deposited into the required trust funds.
Right to Erasure
The bill introduces a critical privacy protection for older children. If a child between the ages of 14 and 18 requests that a video featuring them be taken down, the content creator is legally obligated to delete it.
Legal Recourse
SB1469 is enforced through civil action. There are currently no criminal penalties associated with the law.
A Growing National Trend
Tennessee isn’t alone in this movement. Senator Walley noted that the bill was inspired by similar legislation already passed in other states, including California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Utah. The goal across these jurisdictions is to ensure that children who help generate significant wealth online are protected and benefit from that success in adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this law apply to all parents posting their kids?
No. Senator Page Walley clarified that the law isn’t for “casual videos” or “having fun at Christmas,” but specifically for those who are monetizing and selling content for profit.
What happens if a creator refuses to delete a video?
For children between 14 and 18, the law requires the creator to delete the video upon request. Because the law is enforced through civil action, aggrieved parties can seek remedy through the court system.
Looking Ahead
SB1469 is now heading to Governor Bill Lee’s desk for final approval. Once signed, it will mark a significant shift in how digital labor for minors is handled in Tennessee, moving the state toward a more structured regulatory framework for the influencer economy.
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