Maryland Senate Bill SB1162

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/11/24
• Refer: 2/11/24

Caption

Social Media Platforms - Vloggers and Video Content Featuring Minors

Impact

The legislation will introduce new provisions in the Maryland Annotated Code, specifically regulating the interaction between social media platforms and content featuring minors. By requiring vloggers to compensate children, the bill aims to create a safer and more ethical environment for minors engaged in the digital content world. As a result, it expects to enhance child welfare and compliance among content creators while reshaping how social media platforms manage such content.

Summary

Senate Bill 1162 addresses the requirements for social media vloggers who create video content featuring minor children. The bill mandates that vloggers must compensate any minor child featured in their content under specific circumstances, particularly if the content has been monetarily successful. This is aimed at protecting children's rights and ensuring they are compensated for their contribution when they are involved in vlogs that generate income.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB1162 is how effectively it can be implemented and enforced. Critics may express concerns about the mechanics of tracking revenue attributed to the involvement of minors in vlogs, as well as the potential repercussions for vloggers, particularly those operating on a smaller scale. Additionally, there might be debates over the balance between protecting minors and imposing regulatory burdens on content creators.