How does the work of child actors not constitute child labour?

Question

They're not self-employed like kids who deliver papers and it's not like they're working on the family farm. How is this legal?

Answer 1

kids are allowed to work a limited amount of hours with parental approval and some letter or something from the state.
I think that's how it works anyway. There are alot of requirements about how much they can work and time that has to be dedicated to education and what not.

Answer 2

TV and motion picture industries must follow the rules set forth in the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) regarding child labor. Those rules are:
* Non-school hours;
* 3 hours in a school day;
* 18 hours in a school week;
* 8 hours on a non-school day;
* 40 hours on a non-school week; and
* hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9 p.m.)

Most child actors are home-schooled or tutored, making it easier for the actors to work during certain times. When filming, the production team will set the schedule about when which scene is shot so that they can comply with the FLSA. If a child can only work, say 4-7pm Monday - Friday, the scenes with the child will be shot then. On Saturdays and Sundays, the child can work up to eight hours.

Answer 3

US child labor laws have 14 as the employment age limit, but give exemptions to performing arts or kids working for their parents in a "solely-owned non-farm" business.

However, there are strict rules that must be followed as to working conditions, hours and number of consecutive days worked.

Add: If you're referring to the latest reality show "Kid Nation," it appears that the producers did violate some labor laws; their response that since it's a reality show means they weren't "employees" is just bogus.

Another add: Reference the FLSA rules below, FLSA provisions do NOT apply to child actors. See:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html

Answer 4

I believe they are governed by the Actors Guild which has separate labor laws for children. You can only work so many hours, have to be tutored on set, etc. That's why you see so many twins sharing parts. :-)

Answer 5

They have strict guidelines as to how many hours a day they can work and they must have school. What the parents do with their earnings may be criminal now.

Answer 6

There are strict regulations, about the number of hours.
Their school-work has to be attended to also.