SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — In a move to protect young content creators, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two pieces of legislation Thursday aimed at protecting the financial well-being of child influencers.

While joined by former child star, singer and advocate Demi Lovato, the governor emphasized the importance of these laws in addressing modern exploitation in the digital age, as seen in a video posted to YouTube .

The newly signed laws, AB 1880 and SB 764, are designed to provide financial protections for minors involved in monetized online content, including popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

SB 764, which is authored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego), requires that a percentage of earnings from child vloggers be set aside in trust accounts managed by their parents or guardians. This is meant to ensure that these funds are safeguarded until the child reaches adulthood.

AB 1880, introduced by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), expands the protections of the longstanding Coogan Law , which historically protected child performers in Hollywood. This update extends the law’s provisions to include child content creators, mandating that at least 15% of their gross earnings be allocated to trust funds.

“A lot has changed since Hollywood’s early days, but here in California, our laser focus on protecting kids from exploitation remains the same,” Governor Newsom stated. “In old Hollywood, child actors were exploited. In 2024, it’s now child influencers. Today, that modern exploitation ends through two new laws to protect young influencers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms.”

Demi Lovato, who has been vocal about the challenges faced by child stars and influencers, expressed her support for the legislation, stating, “In order to build a better future for the next generation of child stars, we need to put protections in place for minors working in the digital space. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for taking action with this update to the Coogan Law that will ensure children featured on social media are granted agency when they come of age and are properly compensated for the use of their name and likeness.”

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The governor’s actions come as part of a broader effort to lessen the risks associated with social media use among minors. Just last week, Newsom signed SB 976 , which restricts online platforms from providing addictive content to minors without parental consent. It also mandates that notifications to minors are limited during school hours and late at night.

Additionally, the recently signed AB 3216 , known as the Phone-Free School Act, will require all educational institutions to adopt policies limiting smartphone usage by July 1, 2026.

Child protection in the digital age has gradually become a hot-button issue, with many hoping for a safer online environment for the next generation.

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