SAG-AFTRA Young Performers Committee

The SAG-AFTRA Young Performers Committee is dedicated to advocating for the rights, safety, and welfare of child and teen actors working in the entertainment industry. It works to ensure young performers are protected by appropriate regulations on set.

The committee addresses issues specific to young performers, including set tutoring requirements, working hour limitations, Coogan Law protections for earnings, and age-appropriate working conditions. It also provides educational resources for parents of child actors.

For families with young performers, this committee is an invaluable resource for understanding the regulations that protect children on set. It also advocates for updated legislation as the industry evolves with new media and streaming platforms.

Participation in and resources from the Young Performers Committee are free for SAG-AFTRA members and their families. The committee also conducts outreach to educate non-member families about child performer protections.

If you are a young actor or the parent of a child performer, familiarize yourself with this committee and its resources. Understanding your rights and protections is essential for a safe and sustainable career in entertainment. The committee has been instrumental in shaping industry standards for child performer safety, including advocating for updated Coogan Law provisions, pushing for stricter oversight of set teachers and studio welfare workers, and addressing the unique challenges that child performers face in the age of social media and digital content. Notable former young performers who have spoken about the importance of protections include Drew Barrymore, Mara Wilson, and Jennette McCurdy, whose experiences have highlighted both the benefits and risks of childhood careers in entertainment. The committee works closely with organizations like A Minor Consideration and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to ensure comprehensive protections for young performers.

All resources, events, and advocacy efforts of the SAG-AFTRA Young Performers Committee are provided at no additional cost to SAG-AFTRA members and their families. The committee is funded through general SAG-AFTRA operations, which means your regular union dues support this important work. Parents and guardians of young SAG-AFTRA members can access the committee's educational materials, attend informational events, and receive guidance on navigating the industry without any additional fees. The committee also provides resources to non-member families considering the entertainment industry for their children, helping them understand the protections and regulations in place before committing to a professional career. For young performers who are not yet SAG-AFTRA members, many of the committee's educational materials are available on the SAG-AFTRA website, and the union's representatives are available to answer questions about protections that apply to all minors working on set regardless of union status.

Every parent of a child performer who is a SAG-AFTRA member should engage with the Young Performers Committee by attending its events, reading its materials, and contacting the committee directly with questions about their child's rights and protections. If your child is not yet a SAG-AFTRA member but is considering professional performing work, review the committee's publicly available resources to understand the protections in place before pursuing professional opportunities. Parents should also consult with an entertainment attorney who specializes in representing minors to ensure all contracts, trust accounts, and employment arrangements comply with applicable state laws. If you are a young performer transitioning into adult roles, the committee's resources can help you navigate this significant career shift, including understanding how protections change when you turn 18 and how to manage the financial and emotional aspects of transitioning to an adult career. For those concerned about protecting children in unregulated digital content, consider advocating with the committee for updated regulations that extend child performer protections to social media and online content creation.

Establish a Coogan trust account for your child's earnings immediately upon their first professional booking, as this legal requirement protects 15% of their gross earnings in a blocked trust that the child can access at age 18 — consult with a financial advisor who specializes in entertainment earnings to ensure the account is properly structured and invested. Familiarize yourself with the specific child labor laws in the state where your child will be working, as provisions regarding working hours, mandatory breaks, education requirements, and the presence of studio welfare workers vary significantly between states. Choose your child's representation carefully — seek agents and managers who have established track records working with young performers, who maintain appropriate boundaries, and who prioritize your child's wellbeing alongside their career development. Maintain open communication with your child about their experiences on set, watching for signs of stress, exploitation, or inappropriate behavior, and do not hesitate to contact SAG-AFTRA immediately if you have concerns about your child's safety or wellbeing. Remember that your child's education, emotional development, and normal childhood experiences must remain the top priority, and be prepared to say no to opportunities — even financially attractive ones — if they compromise your child's wellbeing or educational progress.