By Mutesi Sandra
“September is a suicide prevention month; it is a time of the year to raise awareness, and share dialogues to help prevent suicide”.
Gone are the days when it took a whole village to raise a child, as the proverb went. Now, the child can even belong to the state, and parents are put aside, but that will be a conversation for another day. Today, I wish to take you into a conversation concerning child stars, especially those in the entertainment industry. We all know that the allure of fame at a young age is undeniable. Children who rise to stardom often do so with immense talent, captivating audiences with their innocence, energy, and charm.
From Michael Jackson to Amy Winehouse, Justin Bieber to Miley Cyrus, Nigeria’s Emmanuella, and currently Fresh Kid on the Ugandan soils, to mention but a few, are in the African scene. These child stars have defined generations, influencing pop culture, the entertainment industry, and setting trends. However, beneath the bright lights and global adoration lies a hidden cost—a loss of innocence and a life burdened by emotional struggles, as many of these do not wholly get to be children like other kids.
The International Labour Organization Convention under Article 7 Sets the minimum age for employment and defines exceptions for child performers in artistic productions, provided their education is not compromised. Many child stars’ journey into fame starts with genuine passion and raw talent. Take Michael Jackson, for instance, who began his career at just six years old as the lead singer of the Jackson 5. His extraordinary talent was undeniable, but his childhood was anything but ordinary. Like many other young celebrities, his life was no longer his own, subject to the music industry’s demands, constant rehearsals, performances, and public appearances.
This early rise to fame often leads to immense pressure, with young stars being introduced to adult responsibilities long before they are emotionally equipped to handle them. Besides, even some supposedly adults are failing to handle the pressures of life; how much more for a child now? The sense of normalcy and the freedom that most children enjoy—playing with friends, attending school without public scrutiny—are taken away, replaced by a life of schedules, tours, and media attention.
In addition, they face an immense burden of expectations from fans, media, and industry professionals. The pressure to perform and stay relevant has, most of the time, stripped away their innocence, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, manipulation, and isolation. Being in the public eye at such a formative stage has often made it difficult for these young celebrities to develop a strong sense of self. Instead, they are constantly forced to conform to the image that their fans or managers want them to project.
A key issue child stars face is the expectation to be perfect. Fans expect them to maintain a squeaky-clean image while simultaneously pressuring them to keep delivering extraordinary performances. Justin Bieber, who rose to global fame as a teenager, dealt with this duality. His every move, relationship, or misstep was headline news. The weight of constant public scrutiny drove him into a personal crisis in his early twenties, where he openly battled with depression and substance use.
This intense spotlight is often too much for young stars to bear. Mistakes that would be considered normal teenage behavior become magnified under the harsh gaze of the media, leading to negative headlines and widespread judgment. The inability to make mistakes privately can stunt emotional growth, leaving these stars trapped in a cycle of trying to live up to unrealistic expectations while simultaneously being criticized for their imperfections.
The emotional burden of early fame can also lead to severe mental health issues, a recurring theme in the stories of many child stars. Anxiety, suicide, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders are all too common. The pressure to stay in the public eye, maintain an image, and constantly outdo previous achievements can take a significant toll on a young person’s mind.
Even more troubling is the fact that many child stars have limited control over their own lives, often managed by parents, agents, or industry professionals who may prioritize profits over their well-being. This lack of autonomy can lead to feelings of helplessness and contribute to the development of mental health issues.
For many child stars, one of the biggest challenges is transitioning from child fame to adult identity. As they grow older, their audience’s expectations change, and their careers often hinge on whether they can successfully reinvent themselves. Miley Cyrus, for example, underwent a drastic transformation in her public persona, shedding her Disney Channel image to emerge as a more controversial figure in the pop world.
While this allowed her to reclaim her identity, the backlash was fierce, demonstrating the difficulty of breaking free from the image the public has created for these young stars.
However, not all transitions are smooth. Many former child stars struggle to maintain relevance in an industry that is constantly looking for the next big thing. Some fade into obscurity, while others continue to fight for their place in the spotlight, often at the cost of their mental and emotional well-being.
Mental health resources, mentorship, and clear boundaries need to be established to protect these young individuals from the darker side of the entertainment industry. Parents, managers, and agents should prioritize the well-being of the child above all else, ensuring that they have access to education, therapy, and time away from the public eye.
In conclusion, although numerous international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), under Article 31, ensure every child has the right to rest, leisure, and recreational activities suited to their age. That and other laws, I believe, have not solved the big question. This means child stars must balance work with adequate time for play and relaxation. The cost of fame is frequently far more than it seems, and as a nation, we need to do more to safeguard the welfare of the kids who win our hearts on stage and screen.
The writer is a Third year student of law at Nkumba University in Entebbe, Uganda.
Reach her at:
Email: sandramutesi126@gmail.com
