In Croatia, the decision by TikTok agency Crew to hire a 14-year-old influencer Ana, who creates content with parental support, sparked a major debate. While the agency emphasizes the development of creativity and responsibility among children, the public and experts express concerns about the ethics and impact of such content on children’s psyche, especially girls. The Children’s Ombudsman points out the lack of clear legal regulations governing children’s participation in such activities, stressing the need to protect children’s rights and interests. Reactions are divided, with support for children’s creativity on one side and concerns about possible exploitation and negative consequences on the other.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the ethical concerns and potential psychological harm to children, especially young girls, from being involved in influencer marketing at such a young age. They highlight the risk of exploitation and call for stronger legal protections and regulations to safeguard children’s rights and well-being.
Center: Centrist sources present a balanced view, acknowledging both the agency’s argument about fostering creativity and responsibility in young creators and the public’s concerns about ethics and child protection. They stress the need for clear regulations and parental involvement to ensure children’s safety in digital marketing.
Right: Right-leaning sources tend to support the agency’s stance, focusing on the opportunities for young talent to develop skills and participate actively rather than being passive consumers. They argue that with parental consent and oversight, such activities can be positive and are part of modern marketing trends targeting younger audiences.
