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Cleveland 13 News: Minor Contributor Policy

​Last Updated: 3/20/2026​
 

1. PURPOSE

This policy establishes the legal, ethical, and operational standards governing the participation of minors in Cleveland 13 News content.

Cleveland 13 is committed to:

  • Protecting the safety, rights, and well-being of minors

  • Ensuring full compliance with federal, state (Ohio), and local laws

  • Maintaining editorial integrity and public trust

  • Preventing exploitation, coercion, or improper commercialization of minors

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Minor Contributors are not employees, contractors, or agents of Cleveland 13 News. Participation is voluntary and does not establish an employment relationship.
 

2. DEFINITIONS

Minor Contributor: Any individual under 18 appearing in or creating content for Cleveland 13.

Parent/Guardian: Legal adult responsible for the minor.

Supervising Adult: The parent/guardian designated as fully responsible for the minor’s participation.

Cleveland 13: WCTU Cleveland 13 LLC and all affiliated platforms and entities.

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3. ELIGIBILITY & REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

No minor may participate without the following:

Required Documentation

  • Signed Parental Consent & Liability Agreement

  • Signed Minor Contributor Agreement

  • Proof of legal guardianship

  • Emergency contact information

  • Acknowledgment of Cleveland 13 Terms of Use and Policies

 

Minimum Requirements

  • Minor must be participating voluntarily

  • Parent/guardian must be present and supervising at all times

  • Minor must demonstrate basic understanding of participation​

 

4. PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY

The parent/guardian is fully responsible for:

The minor’s:

  • Safety

  • Scheduling

  • Transportation

  • Conduct

  • Legal compliance (including labor laws)

Ensuring compliance with:

  • Child labor laws (FLSA and Ohio law)

  • FTC advertising guidelines

  • Platform-specific rules (YouTube, TikTok, etc.)

  • All external business relationships or sponsorships

Indemnification Clause

The parent/guardian agrees to:

  • Indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Cleveland 13 from:

    • Legal violations

    • Misrepresentation

    • Unauthorized sponsorships

    • Third-party disputes

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5. CLEVELAND 13 AUTHORITY & EDITORIAL CONTROL

Cleveland 13 retains absolute authority over:

  • Approval or rejection of any content

  • Editing, modification, or removal of content

  • Suspension or termination of participation

  • Determination of policy violations

⚠️ Important Clause:

Cleveland 13 reserves the right to terminate participation at any time, with or without cause, at its sole discretion.


6. CONTENT STANDARDS FOR MINORS

All minor-related content must:

  • Be age-appropriate and safe for general audiences

  • Avoid:

    • Dangerous activities

    • Misleading claims

    • Adult themes

  • Align with Cleveland 13 editorial standards

Authenticity Requirement

  • Content must not be:

    • Excessively scripted for commercial purposes

    • Coerced or forced

    • Minor must appear:

    • Comfortable

    • Willing

    • Naturally engaged

6.1 Ethical Safeguards for Minor Participation

Cleveland 13 prohibits the use of minors in content that:

  • Prioritizes commercial gain over the minor’s well-being

  • Places pressure on the minor to perform for compensation or incentives

  • Misrepresents the minor’s genuine opinions or experiences

 

7. ADVERTISING, PROMOTIONS & FTC COMPLIANCE


STRICT RULES FOR MINORS

7.1 Cleveland 13 Content

  • No promotions may appear unless:

  • Approved in writing by Cleveland 13

  • Properly disclosed per FTC guidelines

Cleveland 13 reserves the right to require modification or removal of any content that may violate FTC guidelines or create misleading impressions.​

7.2 Disclosure Requirements

All sponsored or promotional content must include:

  • Clear and conspicuous disclosures:

    • “Sponsored”

    • “Ad”

    • “Promotion”

Disclosure must be:

  • Verbal (if video)

  • Written (on-screen and/or caption)

7.3 Prohibited Practices

Minors may NOT:

  • Directly urge purchases (“Go buy,” “Click now”)

  • Provide financial or medical advice

  • Misrepresent products/services​

 

8. MONETIZATION POLICY

8.1 Cleveland 13-Controlled Content

  • All monetization tied to Cleveland 13:

    • Is controlled exclusively by Cleveland 13

    • Must comply with internal sponsorship agreements

  • Revenue distribution follows Cleveland 13 structure

8.2 External Content

  • Minor/parent may engage in external sponsorships:

    • ONLY on platforms NOT owned or operated by Cleveland 13

  • Cleveland 13:

    • Has no obligation

    • Assumes no liability

8.3 Separation Requirement

External sponsorship content may NOT be:

  • Cross-posted to Cleveland 13

  • Embedded with Cleveland 13 branding

 

9. CHILD LABOR LAW COMPLIANCE

The parent/guardian is responsible for ensuring:

  • Compliance with:

    • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

    • Ohio Minor Labor Laws

  • Adherence to:

    • Work hour limitations (if applicable)

    • School attendance requirements

    • Permit requirements (if triggered by activity level)

⚠️ Cleveland 13 does NOT employ minors and does not:

  • Guarantee compensation

  • Establish employment relationships

 

10. PRIVACY & DATA PROTECTION

Cleveland 13 will:

  • Limit collection of minor data to what is necessary

  • Protect personal information per Privacy Policy

The parent/guardian must:

  • Avoid sharing sensitive personal information

  • Approve all public-facing content involving the minor

 

11. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Minor must always be supervised by parent/guardian.

No content may:

  • Put the minor at physical risk

  • Encourage unsafe imitation by other children

 

12. PLATFORM & DIGITAL COMPLIANCE

  • Content must comply with:

    • COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)

    • Platform-specific child safety rules

  • Cleveland 13 reserves the right to:

    • Remove content that risks platform violations

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13. CONFLICTS & PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

All participants must follow:

  • Cleveland 13 Affiliate Conduct Policies

  • Zero tolerance for:

    • Harassment

    • Jealousy-driven disputes

    • Unprofessional behavior

  • Violations may result in:

    • Immediate removal from the network

 

14. TERMINATION & REVOCATION

Cleveland 13 may:

  • Remove content at any time

  • Revoke contributor status immediately

  • Terminate agreements without notice

Parent/guardian may:

  • Withdraw participation at any time

 

15. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By permitting a minor to participate as an Affiliate Contributor and by operating in that capacity once approved as one, the parent/guardian acknowledges:

  • Full understanding of this policy

  • Acceptance of all responsibilities

  • Agreement to comply with all laws and Cleveland 13 standards

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