Child work in the digital twenty-first century: the experience of the Baltic States

ENTraditionally, children are considered to be a particularly protected group in the labour market, necessitating special protection due to their physical and mental immaturity, as well as their mandatory education. As a result, numerous restrictions have been imposed on their employment. However, labour laws designed for the industrial era may no longer fully address the realities of the twenty-first century. Beyond conventional roles like sales assistants, waitstaff, and leaflet distributors, children are increasingly working in digital environments. This evolving landscape demands a reassessment of existing legal frameworks to ensure adequate protection for young workers. This chapter examines whether the current legal regulations in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania sufficiently safeguard children engaged in employment in light of today’s conditions.