In an , Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi and ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Rector Tshilidzi Marwala warn that South Africa¡¯s labour laws have not kept pace with the rise of ¡°kidfluencers¡± and other forms of digital child labour, and call for urgent reforms to protect children online.
¡°Across platforms, South African children are increasingly featured in monetised content, from baby fashion showcases and toy unboxings to pre-teen dance trends and family video blogs ¡ These children usually lack meaningful agency and legal protection, falling into a regulatory grey zone.¡±
¡
¡°AI-generated content, sometimes involving deepfakes or manipulated images, has created a new frontier for abuse ... a stark reminder that exploitation is no longer limited to the physical world.¡±
¡
¡°South Africa should develop tailored legislation that recognises digital content creation as a form of child labour when monetised. Such legislation should clearly define the rights of child influencers, including rights to privacy, compensation, education, and redress.¡±
Read the .
Suggested citation: Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Marwala Tshilidzi. "Pixels and Protection: Strengthening Legal Frameworks Against Digital Child Labour," ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Centre, 2025-05-26, /article/pixels-and-protection-strengthening-legal-frameworks-against-digital-child-labour.
