WHY IT MATTERS
A child who grows up as part of a successful family brand may receive powerful messages about who audiences expect them to be. Their personality, interests and even weaknesses can become recurring elements of entertainment.
1. LET CHILDREN EXIST OFF CAMERA
Not every experience needs an audience.
2. AVOID SCRIPTING PERSONALITY
Children shouldn’t have to perform a character.
3. DON’T TURN TRAITS INTO BRANDING
Shyness, humour, behaviour or difficulties shouldn’t become permanent labels.
4. SEPARATE FAMILY FROM PUBLIC PERSONA
Children need identities outside the channel.
5. LIMIT EXPOSURE
Constant appearances can make the public persona harder to escape.
6. ENCOURAGE PRIVATE INTERESTS
Children need hobbies belonging only to them.
7. SEPARATE WORTH FROM POPULARITY
Views should never measure a child’s value.
8. ALLOW IDENTITY TO CHANGE
Children naturally reinvent themselves as they develop.
9. RESPECT WITHDRAWAL
A child should be able to leave the online persona behind.
10. PROTECT THEIR FUTURE SELF
They deserve freedom to decide who they become.
BOTTOM LINE
A childhood character created for an audience should never become a cage for the adult the child eventually becomes.