The Child Labor Coalition estimates that as many as 50,000 children work as youth peddlers on any given day of the year. They sell magazine subscriptions, candy, and other consumer items door-to-door in residential neighborhoods and on city street corners. The CLC estimates that this industry makes as much as $1 billion annually in untaxed sales revenue.

TEENS: What you can expect from a youth peddling job:

• You may be ripped off. You will work long hours for little pay.
• The companies won't keep their promises. Many youth work for activities and prizes that they never receive.
• You will be in danger.
• You may be deserted if you don't sell enough.
• You may have to walk home if you anger the crew leader.
• You may be working for long hours in extreme temperatures and have no access to a bathroom, water, or food.
• If you get into trouble or are scared, no one will be there to help you.
• You will work alone in strange neighborhoods and cities.

PARENTS: This is not the job for your child. It is dangerous and exploitative work:

• It's a scam. Your child will not make much money and it is not a program to help your child. It is a commercial enterprise, a money making venture for everyone but your child.
• Your child may be unsupervised. Your child may work alone in strange neighborhoods or on street corners in unfamiliar parts of town.
• You are entrusting your children to strangers. Some crew leaders have criminal records for drugs, sexual abuse, and other crimes.
• Crew leaders with suspended licenses may transport your child in unsafe vehicles.
• The work often is illegal. You may be held liable for allowing your child to work.

CONSUMERS: What you should know:

• Many of these companies and their "charitable" claims are scams. The programs do not help youth. It is a commercial enterprise and youth are being exploited for their labor. The only ones making money are the crew leaders and those who run the business.
• It is a safety issue for the children. It is dangerous and exploitative work for youth. Would you want your children to go door-to-door in strange neighborhoods and cities with no supervision?
  

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