Why are children allowed to act in TV shows/movies?

[Rev. Rye]

Glad I'm not alone, I've wondered this too. They receive their earnings from a trust fund when they turn 18, that their parents or whoever, is holding for them, I think?

IF those same parents managed to save those earnings, and that's a big IF. Jackie Coogan, star of Chaplin's The Kid, hangman, and future Fester Addams took his parents to court after he discovered his parents squandered all the money he earned as a child actor. As a result, a law was set up (in California) to keep 15% of the child actor's money into a trust. Naturally, this means the parents can do whatever the fuck they want with the other 85%. Some take care of it (Billy Mumy's parents certainly did) and some don't.

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It may indeed constitute child labour.  So what?  Getting paid scads of money for being pampered on the set of a TV programme or a film is hardly the same as a six year old forced to mine coal.  If it violated child labour laws, there would be any children in film at all.

I'm pretty sure that the child labor laws do not cover (and I think may be specifically excempt) child actors.