Some child actors become successful adults, but some end up confronting drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, and criminal behavior. As they grow older, child actors are judged by the media and by people they’ve never met. The anonymity of the internet makes this problem worse. Perez Hilton, who has a website devoted to insulting celebrities, mercilessly attacked child actors like Lindsey Lohan, Justin Bieber, and Amanda Bynes, all of whom have had problems with managing fame and fortune. Furthermore, Hilton’s scathing observations often bring on hundreds more negative and distressing comments about the celebrities he targets. Internet “trolls” often compete to see who can leave the meanest and most hurtful criticisms. Stardom can bring money and fame, but physical, mental, and emotional problems may emerge, as well. What explains these negative effects of early fame?

Some experts say that becoming a celebrity at an early age can interfere with a young person’s normal emotional and physical growth. Some people think parents exploit their children when they push them into acting, modeling, or appearing in pageants at an early age. The children may have little control over their careers. Young celebrities may not develop the skills needed to become successful adults. Many never learn to do everyday things like make their beds, cook their own meals, or interact with others as equals. Young celebrities can make huge amounts of money and get lots of attention. They may also be exposed to alcohol, drugs, and sex at an earlier age. This combination, some experts argue, is potentially disastrous for a developing child.

But some children have a passion for acting or singing. They may be supported by their parents, rather than used or exploited. Some child actors seem to handle fame just fine and go on to be successful adults. For example, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, and Emma Watson began acting as children and continued to have flourishing careers as adults. Sometimes child actors develop insights about Hollywood that help them emerge as leaders of the industry. For example, Ron Howard, the director of The Da Vinci Code and many other box office hits, started off as a child actor.

What do you think? Should children be prohibited from modeling, acting, and participating in pageants until they are old enough to make their own decisions about their careers? Should parents be allowed to make the decision about whether their children perform?