Should young popstars be banned?

However, Herbert, who is on the board of directors voicedA music company that ensures creators are paid fairly for public performances of their music has called for a change in the way the industry operates. “Rather than trying to stop this,” he says, “the answer must lie in providing the right training and support for young artists and making the industry a more transparent place. Young artists and their parents need to be fully informed and aware of the risks that come with fame.” “To reap the rewards, the industry needs to provide artists with appropriate structural support, including trained chaperones, counsellors, social work hours, meal breaks and regular rest periods.”

In the UK, school children up to the age of 16 are protected by: Child Performance Licensing lawsLaw stipulating that children performing in public or on television must apply for a license to perform from local authorities to ensure “health, welfare and courteous treatment” in the entertainment industry. However, this ends when 16-year-olds reach school leaving age; This means 16 and 17 year olds are not covered by these welfare rules and can easily be overlooked, especially when the surrounding team does not follow these rules. We work for a different agenda, where profit takes priority over the well-being of the artist. as President Ed Magee National Network for Children in Employment and Recreation He tells the BBC: “16-year-olds and 17-year-olds who have finished compulsory education will not be covered by the legislation and so the responsibility of looking after them will fall on the production company, their agents and their parents. After all, they are still children and need their parents’ permission.”

“We are currently looking at creating a guide for parents about some of the things they need to think about when their children are entering the entertainment industry (including safety, traveling abroad and who will look after their children’s welfare).”

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While each state in the US has different laws regarding child actors, in California they are quite comprehensive; For example, a 16-year-old child can only work. no more than six hours in a school dayAt least one hour of “rest and entertainment” a day. However, as Jaffe points out, there is no equivalent legislation for young people in the music industry. “We must try to create a more responsible environment for minors who may not be able to make the best choices for themselves,” he says. “But I also think we need to work with these young people and allow them to set their own boundaries. If they started their careers at a young age, they may not feel like they’re in control, but we can help.” They’re taking control and taking better care of their own well-being.” He suggests this should also extend to aftercare, helping with the transition back to “real life” after momentary bursts of fame.

Singer-turned-actress Lily Allen first signed with a UK record label at the age of 17 and has since documented the traumas of being a young female singer in the 2000s in her 2018 memoir My Thoughts Exactly. . However, on the latest episode of the BBC Sounds podcast Miss Me?, he discussed the issue of vulnerable young people working in the music world with co-host Miquita Oliver: “This raises questions about support for young artists Who benefits from these? It’s about profit and profit margins and I don’t think these people care about the well-being of the people doing all the work.