The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

Quiet on Set highlights how we don’t keep child stars safe – in Hollywood or online

  • Written by Edith Jennifer Hill, Associate Lecturer, Flinders University
Quiet on Set highlights how we don’t keep child stars safe – in Hollywood or online

The new documentary Quiet on Set investigates children’s television station Nickelodeon from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

The five-part series highlights the abuse many child actors faced while working for the station. The child stars on these shows – now adults in their 30s – share their experiences working on the Nickelodeon sets.

The series raises questions about the protections in place for child stars, both in and out of the film industry.

There are clear parallels between the lack of protection for working actors and the exploitation of children who are the faces of popular YouTube, Instagram and TikTok accounts. These children face no clear working hours, massive opportunities for financial abuse, and insufficient protection from sexual predators.

Quiet on Set

In Quiet on Set, stories are recounted of child actors and their parents feeling uncomfortable on set, the use of inappropriate humour for children’s television, and the difficulties women had in and out of the writer’s room.

More seriously, the series also spotlights three men who became convicted sex offenders[1] while working on Nickelodeon shows: Brian Peck, Jason Handy and Ezel Channel.

Peck, convicted of sexually abusing child star Drake Bell, is at the centre of much of the series. Episode four highlights the many people in the industry who wrote letters of support[2] for Peck while he was in court.

The series explored how these men were put in positions of power and were able to exploit the young people who were often in their care.

What laws protect child stars?

The majority of events in Quiet On Set took place in California. There is no single consistent law in the United States that protects the safety of minors in the entertainment industry. Each state has a different standard of protection. Laws vary for standards around breaks, education, and parental or guardian involvement on set.

The most famous protection for child stars is the Coogan Law[3], which protects the money a child star earns.

Black and white photo, Chaplin with a child.
Jackie Coogan with Charlie Chaplin in a scene from Chaplin’s 1921 silent film The Kid. AP Photo/File

The Coogan Law was enacted in the mid-1930s after child star Jackie Coogan successfully sued his family for spending the money he earned. Under the current iteration of the law, 15% of the child’s income must be placed in a fund which cannot be accessed by the parents, to be made available to the child once they turn 18. This law is only in effect in California.

Quiet On Set highlights how other laws – specifically child labour laws – were violated on the Nickelodeon shows. And, worse, how the industry failed to protect the children from predators. After his conviction[4], Peck was hired at the Disney Channel to work on another children’s television show.

Unfortunately, the enforcement of laws around children working in entertainment varies between countries, production companies and individuals.

There are current laws in the United States[5] and Australia[6] that protect children’s working rights, but it is clear these are not consistently enforced. Alyson Stoner, a former child star, has spoken about how[7] the unsafe working conditions she endured left her malnourished and chronically stressed. Labour laws were in place at this time.

Child stars online

Now, child stars are not limited to those who appear on television shows or in movies. Many children rise to fame online, with arguably larger potential audiences and different risks for exploitation.

Current research[8] shows children do not like their images or activities being shared online without their consent. Likewise, we are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of sharing[9] footage of children online when it comes to sexual predators.

The now adult children of family channels have begun speaking out about the exploitation they received at the hands of their parents when the intimate details of their lives were shared without their consent. One child reflected[10] in an interview in Teen Vogue on the immense pressure she was under when she realised her family’s income relied on her performance on YouTube.

The eldest daughter of the 8 Passengers YouTube family[11], Shari Franke, has spoken[12] about her abusive home life since her mother’s arrest late last year. The 8 Passengers Family is one extreme example of the exploitation that can run rampant for children online.

Many popular channels are now removing their children’s faces[13] from their public profiles. These are often influencers who share their children, rather than family channels with content that revolves entirely around their children’s lives. Popular creator Maia Knight has said[14] now her children are toddlers she has “decided not to show them anymore […] I’m making a choice for my daughters to protect them.”

Read more: YouTube influencer Ruby Franke will go to prison for child abuse. What are the ethics of family vlogging?[15]

Better laws, better enforcement

As is clear from the reporting in Quiet on Set, and the stories of children who grew up on social media, the existing laws protecting child stars need to be more tightly enforced. These laws should also be expanded to more comprehensively protect the health, finances and safety of children of online influencers.

For all working children, there needs to be clear and hard limits on working hours, education and finances. Currently, hundreds of thousands of children are publicly shared online by parents and receive no formal protection.

If we agree as a society it is acceptable to have children working in these online spaces, we need to have safeguards in place to protect them, and education for parents about the real risks they are subjecting their children to.

Quiet on Set is now streaming on Binge.

Read more: Britney Spears' memoir is a reminder of the stigma and potential damage of child stardom[16]

References

  1. ^ became convicted sex offenders (www.vox.com)
  2. ^ letters of support (www.businessinsider.com)
  3. ^ Coogan Law (www.backstage.com)
  4. ^ conviction (www.lapdonline.org)
  5. ^ United States (www.dol.gov)
  6. ^ Australia (www.artslaw.com.au)
  7. ^ has spoken about how (www.businessinsider.com)
  8. ^ research (psycnet.apa.org)
  9. ^ dangers of sharing (www.newstatesman.com)
  10. ^ reflected (www.teenvogue.com)
  11. ^ 8 Passengers YouTube family (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ spoken (open.spotify.com)
  13. ^ removing their children’s faces (www.teenvogue.com)
  14. ^ Maia Knight has said (www.teenvogue.com)
  15. ^ YouTube influencer Ruby Franke will go to prison for child abuse. What are the ethics of family vlogging? (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ Britney Spears' memoir is a reminder of the stigma and potential damage of child stardom (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/quiet-on-set-highlights-how-we-dont-keep-child-stars-safe-in-hollywood-or-online-226826

The Times Features

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

The Rise of Meal Replacement Shakes in Australia: Why The Lady Shake Is Leading the Pack

Source Meal replacement shakes are having a moment in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re quick, convenient, and packed with nutrition, making them the perfect solu...

HCF’s Healthy Hearts Roadshow Wraps Up 2024 with a Final Regional Sprint

Next week marks the final leg of the HCF Healthy Hearts Roadshow for 2024, bringing free heart health checks to some of NSW’s most vibrant regional communities. As Australia’s ...

The Budget-Friendly Traveler: How Off-Airport Car Hire Can Save You Money

When planning a trip, transportation is one of the most crucial considerations. For many, the go-to option is renting a car at the airport for convenience. But what if we told ...

Times Magazine

Fair Dinkum! Aussie slang takes a decade to learn

- New research shows just how foreign Aussie culture is to migrants- Takes 10 years for the average expat to have a confident grasp on Aussie slang- Queensland expats pick up slang faster than in other states- More female expats will try Vegemite vs...

Essential Tips for Selecting the Best Bike Racks for Your Needs

Bike racks for surfers have grown in popularity in recent years, catering to the special needs of this niche industry. Surfers can use these racks to transport their boards to and from the beach without needing a larger vehicle or the inconvenience...

The Benefits of Rooftop Gardens

Rooftop gardens have a long history, dating back to the ancient Mesopotamian ziggurats constructed between 4000 and 600 BC, like most things from thousands of years ago. The roof gardens created a set of steps along the stepped pyramid's outside...

Protecting Stray Cats in Your Community

Stray cats are a common sight in many neighbourhoods in Melbourne and all around Australia. These feline wanderers, often abandoned or born on the streets, struggle to survive in the harsh urban environment. Many of them face dangers such as traf...

Elevate Your Construction Projects with Evolve Construction's Innovative Software Suite!

Revolutionising Construction Management with Evolve Construction In the dynamic realm of construction, efficiency is paramount. Evolve Construction is a beacon of innovation, offering a suite of cutting-edge tools meticulously designed to empower ...

Setup Instructions for a Microphone Streaming

Having the proper equipment and setup instructions is crucial, whether broadcasting live material or offering remote audio services. The first stage in the process is to have a high-quality microphone and be aware of the correct setup instruction...