As the parent of a child model, their safety will be a top priority. In an industry that is full of potential exploitation and scams, it can feel like a minefield trying to navigate.
Here, we round up some of the things you can do to keep your child safe as a model.
Be Present
As the child’s parent/guardian, you will be expected to attend any and all interviews and casting calls with them. You will also need to be at any jobs they manage to book.
Aside from meaning you can keep an eye on them, this means you will also be there to oversee procedures and provide support to your child. Photoshoots can often be overwhelming experiences even for adults, so having a familiar face there will help ease their concerns and nerves.
It is a legal requirements that you be with any child under the age of 18. If an agency or brand tries to break these rules, you should consider this a huge red flag. If you ever feel in doubt, have the courage to turn down some opportunities; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Check All Documents & Contracts Thoroughly
You need to understand every aspect of any contracts that are handed to you. That means understanding any legal jargon, and making sure to read the fine-print too. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t understand it, and never sign a contract you don’t agree with.
It may be worth asking a professional to take a look over it if you are unsure. A legitimate agency will never mind if you ask for some extra time to check it over. If you feel at all rushed to sign it without giving it a proper look-over, you should walk away. Once signed, you can’t unsign it. It’s always best to be absolutely sure.
Your contract will also include information about any hidden fees or payments you will be expected to make. This might include transportation or hotel fees. Once more established, agencies tend to cover these types of costs, but particularly while you are new you may be expected to cover them yourself – they may even be deducted from your child’s pay. Be sure you know exactly what the costs are before agreeing to anything.
Being Asked for Money
A modelling agency makes their money by taking a small cut from the fee your child earns at work.
If any agency asks you to pay a membership fee, this is a red flag. You shouldn’t have to pay anything upfront; this is very unusual practice, and one you should seriously think about before agreeing to.
Make Sure the Agency is Legitimate
Unfortunately, there are plenty of scam artists out there who would love to take advantage of aspiring parents of child models. You need to really examine any agencies you apply to and ensure they are legitimate. You can do this by checking the authenticity of the website, as well as any reviews from previous employees. Check to see if they have a physical location for offices.
You should also take a look at the people and companies they have previously worked with. Have you heard of them?
If you are seemingly approached, proceed with caution – particularly if over social media. Try to determine whether the person ctually works for the company they say they do. Never use emails or websites sent from the approacher; find them yourself to ensure they’re real. If you ever feel any niggling doubt, it’s better to avoid the situation entirely.
You should be extremely picky about who you want representing your child, so don’t allow yourself to ignore red flags due to excitement.
Be Careful Online
The internet makes it incredibly easy to pretend to be someone you’re not. We all need to be mindful and careful about the sites we choose to visit, the emails we decide to open and the people we approach.
Social media has made this easier by using blue ticks of verification. You can also see whether a site is secure by the little padlock symbol next to the URL.
Remember, nowadays it is incredibly easy to set up a website, blog or forum. Reviews are fairly easy to make up, too.
Social Media Safety
Social media is one of the most difficult places to stay safe. If you decide to have a social media platform advertising your child’s skills as a model, be cautious. While it will help with self-promotion, it will also put your child in a riskier place. There is a lot of fake news and information circulating on social media platforms like Facebook.
There is also a lot of negativity from people who feel able to hide behind their computer screens. The interview can often feel like a very negative and cruel place, and it will be your responsibility to shield your child from damaging remarks that may affect their confidence and wellbeing.
Teach Your Child How to Be Safe
Every parent talks their child through how to be safe when crossing the road and how to be safe when riding a bike, but have you thought to sit your child down and talk to them about online safety?
Keeping open a good line of communication is vital if you want to ensure you child doesn’t hide things from you. Many social media platforms have age limits, so make sure you abide by these.
If you manage your child’s work socials yourself, it’s your duty to protect your child’s identity as much as possible.
