DOLE Requires Work Permits for Child Vloggers, Influencers Under 15

Courtesy: DOLE

Children under the age of 15 who appear in vlogs, livestreams, digital advertisements, and other online content must secure a mandatory work permit before any filming or broadcasting begins, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced.

The regulatory expansion addresses growing child safety concerns over family channels and digital content creation. Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino issued Labor Advisory No. 12, Series of 2026, explicitly updating legacy labor laws to hold online creators and parents to the same legal standards as traditional media networks.

Expanding Safeguards to Digital Media

Under Republic Act No. 9231 (the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor Act), children under 15 are generally prohibited from working. While exceptions are granted if a minor works under the sole responsibility of parents or if their role in public entertainment is deemed essential, DOLE clarified that a Working Child Permit (WCP) remains mandatory prior to production.

The updated advisory leaves no room for gray areas, explicitly covering:

• Video blogs (vlogs) and family channels
• Social media livestreams and short-form video reels
• Digital ads, web series, and podcasts
• Traditional avenues like television, radio, cinema, and print

Strict Compliance and Penalties

The initiative follows an appeal by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) to regulate online child media amid rising risks of overwork, privacy violations, and exploitation. According to DOLE guidelines, child content creators cannot work for more than four hours a day and 20 hours a week.

Additionally, the child's income must be safeguarded, and their work must not impede their access to education and formal schooling. Content creators, production heads, and parents who fail to apply for a permit face heavy criminal and administrative penalties directly under RA 9231.