Over 20,000 child actors try out for TV shows, movies, and advertisements in Hollywood each year. While some child actors go on to become successful adults, others confront drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, and criminal behavior. Stardom can bring money and fame, but problems may emerge, as well. 

Some experts believe that becoming a celebrity at an early age can interfere with a person’s normal emotional and physical growth. They say that getting used to lots of attention at a young age may make it hard to live a normal life later on. They may not know how to interact in everyday social situations. Young actors may also be exposed to alcohol and drugs on sets and at celebrity events. This has led some critics to suggest that people should not be allowed to start acting professionally until they are adults, for their own protection. They say only adults are old enough to understand the risks.

Some people think parents exploit their children when they encourage them in acting at an early age. They say children have little control over their careers and may not understand how the rest of their lives might be affected. Child celebrities may come to feel like they live in a bubble, constantly watched. Social media users often comment on everything celebrities do and say. Furthermore, some people verbally attack famous young actors when they have problems managing fame and fortune. The anonymity of the internet makes this worse. “Trolls” will compete to see who can leave the meanest and most inflaming criticisms.

However, other people believe that children should be allowed to act if they have a passion for it. They may believe that acting encourages children’s creativity and builds their confidence and communication skills. They say these skills will be useful in the future even if they do not continue to act. Some people argue that child actors can be supported by their parents, rather than used or exploited. These children may hope to get a head start on their careers and build connections and skills while they are young.

Many people also point out that movies and shows often require child actors. How can you make a movie about a young family without children? Furthermore, children are often more interested in watching shows that feature people their age. And some child actors seem to handle fame just fine and go on to be successful adults. For example, Ryan Gosling, Natalie Portman, and Emma Watson began acting as children and continued to have flourishing careers as adults. 

What do you think? Should children be prohibited from acting professionally until they are adults? Or should children be allowed to become actors if their parents agree?