FAMILIES may use only up to 20 percent of the earnings of children working in monetized social media content, while the remaining 80 percent must be reserved for the child, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said the income safeguards are meant to protect child workers from financial exploitation as existing labor protections are extended to digital platforms.
Under current rules, 80 percent of a child worker’s earnings must be placed in savings or a trust fund for education, health needs or future use.
‘The amount that may be spent for the family is 20 percent. The remaining 80 percent should be placed in savings or a trust fund for the child’s education, health needs or future use,’ Tolentino said.
The requirement applies to children below 15 who work or are featured in monetized social media content covered by Labor Advisory 12, Series of 2026.
The advisory covers digital platforms such as vlogs, livestreams, podcasts and online endorsements.
Covered children must also secure a work permit from the appropriate DOLE regional office before engaging in work under the advisory.
Their working hours are limited to four hours a day or 20 hours a week, while work beyond 10 p.m. is prohibited.
Tolentino said the restrictions are intended to ensure that online work does not interfere with a child’s education, health and welfare.
Limited exemptions apply to children working in family enterprises, including cases where family members are involved in producing the content, subject to existing child labor rules.
Employers or producers who engage children without the required permit may face fines, imprisonment or possible closure under applicable law.
Dole clarified that the advisory does not establish a new child labor standard but expands existing protections for children in traditional media to monetized digital content.