Kids’ Rights vs. Patriot Points: It's Possible to Win at Both

It is wonderful to show strong men who serve their country and love their family.

.@elonmusk's adorable kid steals the show during Oval Office debut with Trump 👀 pic.twitter.com/JuTzdfQDTN

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 11, 2025

Children inspire adults to maintain a forward-looking perspective, reminding us that the nation’s story extends beyond the present and that we must preserve a thriving country for the generations to follow. Amid this reflection, California has introduced a new law to safeguard children exploited for profit on social media, ensuring their well-being in an increasingly digital world.

In September 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills, AB 1880 and SB 764, to protect the financial well-being of child influencers. AB 1880 expands the existing Coogan Law, originally designed for child actors, to include minors featured in monetized online content, requiring that at least 15% of their earnings be placed in a trust account accessible when they turn 18. SB 764, known as the Child Content Creator Rights Act, mandates that content creators who feature children under 18 in at least 30% of their monetized content set aside a percentage of those earnings into a trust for the child, also accessible upon reaching adulthood. These laws, effective January 1, 2025, aim to ensure children are compensated for their contributions to online content, addressing a gap in protections for minors in the digital space. Enforcement relies on parents or guardians managing the trusts, with children able to sue later if the funds are not properly allocated.

There is a constant tension between showing a good example of family on social media and forcing kids to perform against their will, or at the very least, when they are too young to consent.

I’ve largely cheered Elon being public with fatherhood. But perhaps I shouldn’t have been. Because this is something I say *all the time* and I’m probably a giant hypocrite for not saying this all along. https://t.co/pgWgIHz7H5

— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) February 25, 2025

Clearly, Grimes’ ongoing public dispute with Elon Musk complicates discerning whether her statements reflect genuine convictions or serve as a calculated jab in their media-fueled feud. Regardless, her situation underscores a critical need to strike a balance between promoting family growth among the public and safeguarding the privacy of minors caught in the spotlight.

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Gordon K

This isn't a straight forward issue. You can't take the hard line and pretend publicly the kids don't exist, but there becomes a point where the kids become exploited. I don't think Elon is anywhere near the latter.

— Not Mass-Compliant 🇺🇸 (@MANonCompliant) February 25, 2025

Maybe he should bring X along a little less often, particularly since there does seem to be a bit of a security threat.

In this instance, bringing children
into the picture, is a valuable addition to the cultural moment.
We’ve been shunting children into specialised separate spaces and so it is delightful to catch sight of a child in the routine of adult life where they too naturally belong. It…

— diana leonie (@dianaleonie1) February 25, 2025

In the past, Melania Trump appeared to masterfully balance her son Barron's public exposure with his personal privacy. While Barron attended significant events and milestones, he largely enjoyed the life of a typical teenager—albeit one with wealth and fame—shielded from excessive scrutiny. Melania’s approach provided a commendable model for the Vance family to follow. Ultimately, prioritizing family and children is a core value America should embrace, and witnessing thriving families in the White House sets an inspiring precedent.