On May 9th 2024, the Minnesota senate passed Bill 3488, making Minnesota the second state, following Illinois, to officially pass legislation to protect minors in the online influencer domain.
HF 3488 was introduced by representative Zack Stephenson back in January. This bill, similar to the legislation introduced in other states, would ensure compensation for children featured in family vlogging videos. Specifically, it would require parents who earn money from accounts on platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube to deposit 30% of the earnings into a trust account. The child featured in at least 30% of the screen time could claim the proceeds in the trust when they reach 18.
However, unlike other states legislation, HF 3488 takes it a step further by including an additional amendment: children under 14 may not be featured in monetized content. Additionally, individuals aged 13 or older, who once graced social media as minors have the right to demand the permanent erasure of said content from online platforms.
The Minnesota Senate’s passage of HF 3488 has positioned the state as a forerunner in the movement to protect minors in the online influencer domain, and an important step in the right direction to protect children’s online privacy. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.