Child influencers, family vloggers may now require work permits

DOLE issues guidelines covering minors under 15 years old in content creation.

Child influencers and children featured in family vlogs may now need a work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment, following new guidelines aimed at protecting children online.

DOLE issued Labor Advisory No. 12, Series of 2026, reminding the public that children younger than 15 years old who are featured in online media and content creation are covered by child labor laws.

The guidelines reiterate the requirement for work permits under the Anti-Child Labor Law, or Republic Act No. 9231, for children who participate in entertainment or informational media.

Instances requiring work permits for children include appearing in public entertainment and information programs, starring in programs after undergoing auditions and workshops, participating in talent contests as a semi-finalist, or appearing as a regular extra in a program as part of a crowd or as specified in the script or storyboard.

The guidelines also emphasize the role of parents and guardians as the accountable party for the child’s engagements, whether or not the child is directly employed or professionally supervised under the parent or guardian. Work permits can be secured at DOLE regional, provincial, and field offices.

The new rules expand on Labor Advisory No. 2, Series of 2018, which outlines the requirements for children’s work permits in line with the Anti-Child Labor Law.

The renewed push to protect children in online content comes amid a global movement to monitor and restrict children’s exposure to the internet due to privacy and developmental concerns. In the United States, many adults who grew up as child influencers and appeared in family vlogs have alleged traumatic experiences as a consequence of early exposure online.