CHILD LABOUR IN THE DIGITAL AGE: NEW FRONTIERS AND OLD VULNERABILITIES. LEGAL CHALLENGES AND GAPS IN THE ITALIAN FRAMEWORK

Abstract

The evolution of the digital economy has redefined the boundaries of child labour, giving rise to new forms of exploitation and vulnerability alongside traditional ones. From content production on social media to employment in the competitive video game industry, children today are exposed to risks that are often unrecognised and inadequately regulated. This paper examines the new frontiers of child labour in the digital age, with a particular focus on the Italian context, highlighting the main regulatory gaps and emerging legal challenges. In particular, it analyses the capacity of the current Italian legislative framework to prevent and combat the most insidious forms of online child exploitation. The analysis reveals the inadequacy of the Italian legal system to respond to the complexities of the new digital ecosystem. In conclusion, some guidelines are outlined for a reform aimed at strengthening the protection of minors, promoting an integrated and cross-sectoral approach.
Keywords: Child labour; digital work; platform economy; protections; exploitation.