Kidfluencers are social media influencers with accounts managed by adults.

This global trend casts children as brand ambassadors but with their ‘everyday life’ as the show. While there are regulations and support in place for this style of commodification to be done ethically and authentically, the power imbalance of a private space being made public opens up many ethical dilemmas.

In ‘Kidfluencers: what’s the real cost?’ panel at UTS House at SWSW Sydney, hear:

• What's the risk of harm to kid influencers?
• Can children consent to their private life being readily available online?
• How do we draw the line between play and labour?
• When a guardian controls the 'talent', how do children access income?
• If you're a guardian of a kidfluencer, or a parent sharing content about your kids, what practical things can protect their privacy on social media?

Speakers 

Dr Genevieve Wilkinson, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney. 

Kate Delmo, Head of Discipline for Strategic Communication in the School of Communication, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney. 

Stephanie Scicchitano, PR expert from Born Bred Talent

Chantel Mila Ibbotson, content creator 

This is a partner programming session presented by UTS as part of SXSW Sydney 2024.

UTS House at SXSW Sydney 2024 explored future trends and emerging technology from leading academics and industry experts in a series of interviews and panel discussions across the week.

Impact Talks at UTS is produced by UTS Impact Studios, with sound engineering by Alison Zhuang.