DOLE reminds parents, creators: Children under 15 need work permits for social media content

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded employers, advertisers, content creators, and parents that children below 15 years old must first secure a working child permit before participating in public entertainment or information activities, including content published on social media, streaming platforms, and other online services.

Why it matters: The advisory makes it clear that child labor protections under Republic Act No. 9231 extend beyond traditional media to today’s digital platforms, affecting family vloggers, influencers, brands, advertisers, production companies, and anyone creating online content involving children.

The details: The reminder was issued through Labor Advisory No. 12, Series of 2026, signed by Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino on July 31.

Under Republic Act No. 9231, children below 15 years old are generally prohibited from working. However, the law allows limited exceptions when a child works directly under the sole responsibility of a parent or legal guardian, provided that only family members are employed, or when the child’s participation is essential to a public entertainment or information production.

In both situations, a working child permit issued by DOLE must first be secured before the child can participate.

The department also clarified that the definition of “public entertainment or information” covers artistic, literary, and cultural performances distributed through television, radio, cinema, theater, print publications, and the internet.

The coverage now explicitly includes content shared through streaming platforms, social media, vlogs, digital advertisements, web series, podcasts, educational videos, and other emerging forms of digital media.

DOLE further explained that children below 15 who appear in content intended for online publication may be required to obtain a working child permit if the activity falls under the department’s existing guidelines governing working children.

The bigger picture: The advisory reflects how digital content creation has blurred the line between family activities and commercial work.

As more children appear in monetized videos, sponsored posts, livestreams, and influencer campaigns, DOLE is emphasizing that existing child labor laws remain applicable regardless of whether content is produced for television or online platforms.

The guidance also places responsibility on parents and legal guardians to ensure compliance with Republic Act No. 9231 and its implementing rules whenever children below 15 participate in covered activities.

Employers, production companies, advertisers, agencies, and other responsible parties must likewise comply with safeguards established under the law.

These include prohibitions against the worst forms of child labor, restrictions on children’s participation in certain advertisements, limits on allowable working hours, rules governing the management of a working child’s earnings, and measures that protect the child’s education, training, health, and overall welfare.

For Filipinos: The advisory could affect a wide range of online creators and businesses, from family vloggers and parenting influencers to brands that feature children in sponsored campaigns, advertisements, livestreams, and promotional videos.

Parents who regularly feature young children in monetized or commercially produced online content may need to determine whether their activities fall within DOLE’s permitting requirements.

Businesses and advertisers working with child talents for digital campaigns may also need to review their compliance procedures before producing or publishing content.

What’s next: DOLE said the advisory supports the Marcos administration’s continuing efforts to strengthen the protection and welfare of working children by ensuring that their participation in media and digital content takes place under conditions that safeguard their rights, education, health, and overall development.

The department also urged the public to report suspected violations of Republic Act No. 9231 and its implementing rules to DOLE or other appropriate authorities for investigation and appropriate action.

The Bottom Line: DOLE’s latest advisory reinforces that child labor laws apply to the digital age. Whether a child appears on television, in an advertisement, or in a monetized social media video, those below 15 years old may first need a working child permit before participating in covered productions.