Illinois passed a law to protect child influencers. Advocates are cautiously optimistic more states will follow.

After Illinois passed the country’s first law protecting child influencers last week, a feeling of optimism swept over Sarah Adams. For years, she and other advocates against child exploitation have warned about the dangers of sharing children’s lives on social media for profit. The law would ensure financial compensation for minors, defined as children under 16 years old, who are featured in vlogs, or video blogs. While Adams is not based in the U.S., she and other activists who spoke with NBC News said they are excited by the news....