NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State legislators completed their work on a bill aimed at regulating commercialized social media content featuring minors in attempt to answer questions about child labor protections, parental authority, and the digital economy.
The proposal introduced by Representative Ron Travis, R-Dayton, and Senator Page Walley, R-Savannah, establishes new legal standards for the involvement of minors in online content that generates revenue. The proposal aims to bring child labor laws up-to-date with the times and address what lawmakers describe as a rapidly growing and largely unregulated industry.
The bill now sits on Governor Bill Lee’s desk waiting for his signature or veto.
“This bill updates Tennessee laws to address an issue that simply did not exist when most of our child labor protections were written,” Travis said. “The rise of monetized social media content featuring children.”
Under the legislation, minors would be considered “engaged” in content creation if they appear in at least 30% of an account’s paid video over a 30-day period, and it generates significant revenue. The bill specifically applies to monetized content, and not to casual, informal social media use.
Legislators emphasized the measure is intended to target commercial content and not everyday posts from families.
“It applies exclusively to cases where people earn money from this content,” Travis said. He noted that unpaid or non-monetized videos would not fall under the law.
A core piece of the bill requires content creators to deposit a portion of the revenue generated from videos featuring minors into a protected trust account. For minors ages 14 to 17, these funds remain reserved until the individual reaches the age of 18, ensuring they are compensated for their role in generating income.
“When a child participates in a meaningful way in monetized online content, that child receives fundamental protections comparable to those that have long been provided,” Walley said.
The law would grant minors greater control over their digital footprint. Individuals who are at least 14 years of age or older and appeared in content while they were minors are given the right to request that content in which they are recognizably shown be removed.
Supporters say these measures are necessary to prevent financial exploitation and ensure fairness as social media continues to reshape what livable income looks like.
“The digital economy has created new forms of work involving children,” Walley said. “Our laws should evolve to ensure that those children are treated fairly and protected.”
Chattanooga content creator Quisha Williams. Photo Courtesy Quisha Williams Facebook Page. 
Savannah LaBrant (33) and her daughter Everleigh Rose LaBrant (13) promote their teen-focused skincare brand, ‘Bev,’ in a post from December 2025. The Nashville-based family is among the prominent content creators who could potentially be affected by Senate Bill 1469; this bill would mandate that a portion of the earnings generated from monetized content featuring minors be set aside in a trust account. Photo Courtesy of Savannah LaBrant Facebook page. Nashville-based content creators of the LaBrant family have built a large following on social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, frequently featuring their children in sponsored and promotional content. Under proposed Senate Bill 1469, revenue-generating content in which minors feature prominently could be subject to new regulations, including requirements regarding compensation and age restrictions. Photo Courtesy of The LaBrant Family Facebook page.
Chattanooga content creator Quisha Williams said the bill could have a significant impact on her household and others. Williams explained she originally began creating content for creativity, rather than as a source of income.
“I started creating content for fun and from a lifestyle perspective,” said Williams. “I wanted to be a creator so people could rely on not someone doing it exclusively for financial gain.”
The proposal has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, who argue it may overstep the line of personal family decision-making and limit opportunities for up-and-coming young creators.
Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, raised concerns about restricting minors’ access to earnings, particularly for those who rely on income from content creation.
“You have young people who are able to create content and earn money from their talents,” Lamar said. “This bill creates an outright restriction from them being able to access that money.”
Lamar also raised questions regarding whether the legislation could have disproportionate consequences for disadvantaged youth, who may rely on social media income for necessities such as school expenses or household support.
Other lawmakers expressed concerns regarding how this bill would be enforced, and the broader role of the government in creative platforms such as social media. Sen. Charlene Oliver, D-Nashville, questioned how the state would begin to verify age and make sure requirements for trust accounts are met.
“I don’t think it’s the role of government to regulate this type of industry and commerce,” Oliver said, adding that similar restrictions are not placed on minors working traditional in-person jobs.
The legislation provides penalties for violations, including fines for content creators who feature minors under the age of 14 in monetized content, as well as provisions that allow minors to claim damages and seek out legal remedies.
If Gov. Lee signs the bill, it would take effect July 1, 2026.
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