California Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 1247 on February 19, a measure that would require social media platforms to provide a mechanism for adults to request the removal of compensated content featuring them as minors, published by a parent, legal guardian, or family member.
What the Bill Requires
Under SB 1247, a social media platform would be required to notify the content creator within three business days of receiving a removal request. The creator would then have 10 business days to delete or edit the content so that the child influencer is no longer featured. Child influencers who turn 18 would be eligible to initiate requests.
If a vlogger fails to comply, the bill authorizes the petitioner to pursue civil action, with statutory damages set at $3,000 per day of non-compliance. Courts would be required to consider factors including emotional harm, safety risks, loss of control over personal information, and harm to future opportunities.
The bill was referred to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee and is scheduled for a Senate hearing on April 6.
Legislative Context
SB 1247 builds on Senate Bill 764, a 2025 Padilla measure that requires content creators who feature minors in at least 30% of their content to deposit 65% of the proportionate share of gross earnings into a trust accessible to the child upon reaching adulthood. That legislation drew comparisons to California’s Coogan Act, the 1930s-era law establishing financial protections for child actors under contract, i.e., protections that do not extend to children featured in family vlogging content, as no formal contracts are required.
Utah enacted similar “right to delete” legislation in March 2025, championed by Shari Franke following the 2023 guilty plea of her mother, Ruby Franke, a prominent family YouTuber who was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated child abuse.
Supporters and Advocates
Former child actor Alyson Stoner, now a certified mental health practitioner and child advocate, cited personal experiences to illustrate the bill’s relevance. “The content that was captured and shared didn’t stay in the past – it traveled forward, determining my employment prospects, public reputation, and everyday safety,” Stoner said in a statement.
Chris McCarty, founder of advocacy group Quit Clicking Kids, noted the AI dimension of the legislation. “In the age of AI, it can be dangerous for a child’s image to be publicly accessible,” McCarty said. “This new bill ensures that once children reach the age of 18, they can request content to be deleted, restoring control over their digital footprint.”
Nii A. Ahene is the founder and managing director of Net Influencer, a website dedicated to offering insights into the influencer marketing industry. Together with its newsletter, Influencer Weekly, Net Influencer provides news, commentary, and analysis of the events shaping the creator and influencer marketing space. Through interviews with startups, influencers, brands, and platforms, Nii and his team explore how influencer marketing is being effectively used to benefit businesses and personal brands alike.
California Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 1247 on February 19, a measure that would require social media platforms to provide a mechanism for adults to request the removal of compensated content featuring them as minors, published by a parent, legal guardian, or family member.
What the Bill Requires
Under SB 1247, a social media platform would be required to notify the content creator within three business days of receiving a removal request. The creator would then have 10 business days to delete or edit the content so that the child influencer is no longer featured. Child influencers who turn 18 would be eligible to initiate requests.
If a vlogger fails to comply, the bill authorizes the petitioner to pursue civil action, with statutory damages set at $3,000 per day of non-compliance. Courts would be required to consider factors including emotional harm, safety risks, loss of control over personal information, and harm to future opportunities.
The bill was referred to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee and is scheduled for a Senate hearing on April 6.
Legislative Context
SB 1247 builds on Senate Bill 764, a 2025 Padilla measure that requires content creators who feature minors in at least 30% of their content to deposit 65% of the proportionate share of gross earnings into a trust accessible to the child upon reaching adulthood. That legislation drew comparisons to California’s Coogan Act, the 1930s-era law establishing financial protections for child actors under contract, i.e., protections that do not extend to children featured in family vlogging content, as no formal contracts are required.
Utah enacted similar “right to delete” legislation in March 2025, championed by Shari Franke following the 2023 guilty plea of her mother, Ruby Franke, a prominent family YouTuber who was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated child abuse.
Supporters and Advocates
Former child actor Alyson Stoner, now a certified mental health practitioner and child advocate, cited personal experiences to illustrate the bill’s relevance. “The content that was captured and shared didn’t stay in the past – it traveled forward, determining my employment prospects, public reputation, and everyday safety,” Stoner said in a statement.
Chris McCarty, founder of advocacy group Quit Clicking Kids, noted the AI dimension of the legislation. “In the age of AI, it can be dangerous for a child’s image to be publicly accessible,” McCarty said. “This new bill ensures that once children reach the age of 18, they can request content to be deleted, restoring control over their digital footprint.”
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