CHILD LABOUR IN THE DIGITAL AGE: HIDDEN RISKS IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND PLATFORM ECONOMIES
CHILD LABOUR IN THE DIGITAL AGE: HIDDEN RISKS IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND PLATFORM ECONOMIES

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the transformation of child labour in the context of the digitalization of labour markets. While traditionally associated with agriculture and manufacturing, child labour has increasingly become embedded in global supply chains and digital labour platforms. The study argues that the digital transition has not eliminated exploitative practices but has reconfigured them into less visible and more difficult-to-regulate forms. The paper explores two key dimensions. First, it analyses how the growing demand for digital technologies contributes to child labour in global supply chains, particularly in extractive industries and fast-paced production sectors. Second, it investigates the emergence of “invisible” child labour within platform economies, including microtasking and content creation, where regulatory frameworks often fail to provide adequate protection. By assessing existing international and European legal instruments, the paper highlights significant regulatory gaps, especially concerning cross-border enforcement and the classification of digital work. It concludes that current labour law frameworks remain rooted in industrial models and are ill-equipped to address the complexities of digital labour. The paper calls for a rethinking of legal approaches to ensure effective protection of children in the evolving world of work.

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