Kara Alaimo, an assistant professor of public relations at Hofstra University, is the author of"Pitch, Tweet, or Engage on the Street: How to Practice Global Public Relations and Strategic Communication." She was spokeswoman for international affairs in the Treasury Department during the Obama administration. Follow her on Twitter @karaalaimo. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. View more opinion at CNN.
American kids are three times more likely to aspire to be YouTube stars than astronauts, a Harris Poll commissioned by Lego found recently. Many are already on their way. An astonishing number of children are now featured in viral videos on social media, which, the New York Times noted, now includes subgenres like kid power-eaters,"baby fails" and parents who dress their grown children up as infants.
Kara Alaimo While starring in such videos may seem cool to kids now, there's reason to worry that cultivating Internet fame won't be good for them in the long run -- and that they should be protected with the same kinds of laws as child actors in Hollywood.First, kids don't necessarily have the cognitive ability to think through how being featured on the Internet today might affect them when they apply to work for, say, JP Morgan at age 40.
karaalaimo Opinion Depends if it's a home video or a company made
karaalaimo Opinion I get some parents can't wait to show the world their kid(s) but when it comes down to it, sometimes it's safer to protect their innocence for as long as possible. I don't post up my kids because monsters exist & their safety is my priority.
karaalaimo Opinion What kind of laws protect child actors ? Are they on the books ?
karaalaimo Opinion Facts more protection more money more problems
karaalaimo Opinion Considering children are so often victims of the liberal pedophiles Hollywood, I would say they need to be protected by more than that.
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