Moving forward

The final chapter examines the realities faced by child actors and influencers in the digital age, where public scrutiny erodes their childhood and privacy. Drawing on media reports, personal testimonies, and documentaries, it explores the costs of early fame. The discussion extends to emerging industry protections, including US state legislation, France’s pioneering image rights reforms, and union-led measures addressing AI in the entertainment industry. Informed by insights from industry professionals, the chapter calls for robust, enforceable safeguards to protect young performers across both traditional and social media, while outlining critical priorities for future research to close persistent gaps in protection and well-being.