Children below 15 years old and engaged in vlogging and social media content creation should seek work permit clearance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to avoid legal troubles.

DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said the same regulation applies for the children who will be tapped for public entertainment in television, theater and advertisements, and other online platforms.

“Under the law, children below 15 years old are generally prohibited from working,” said Tolentino, citing Republic Act No. 9231, or the law that protects working children.

But amid the evolution in the society brought by digital technology innovations in public entertainment, the DOLE set the rules and regulations which was expounded through Labor Advisory No.12 series of 2026 signed by Tolentino on July 31.

Under the guideline, the rules and regulations apply not only to traditional media but also to digital platforms where children create or appear in content.

“Children below 15 who participate in content creation for online posting may need a working child permit if the child or the activity falls within the coverage of the Department's existing guidelines on working children,” the DOLE advisory read.

It explained that "public entertainment or information" covers artistic, literary, and cultural performances and productions distributed through television, radio, cinema, theater, print, and the internet.

The advisory also includes content published through streaming platforms, social media, vlogs, digital advertisements, web series, podcasts, educational content, and other emerging forms of media.

In the same advisory, DOLE mandates parents or legal guardians to ensure that children below 15 engaged in public entertainment or information comply with the requirements of Republic Act No. 9231 and its implementing rules.

“Employers and responsible parties must also comply with the safeguards provided under Republic Act No. 9231, which include the prohibition against the worst forms of child labor, restrictions on children's participation in certain advertisements, limits on working hours, rules governing a working child's income, and measures that protect the child's access to education, training, and other essential services,” the advisory read.

“The advisory reinforces the continuing efforts to strengthen the protection and welfare of children by ensuring that those who participate in media and online content do so under conditions that safeguard their rights, education, health, and overall well-being,” it added.