Child labour is the exploitation of children through any form of work that interferes with their ability to attend regular school, or is mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful. Such exploitation is prohibited by legislation worldwide, although these laws do not consider all work by children as child labour; exceptions include work by child artists, family duties, supervised training, and some forms of work undertaken by Amish children, as well as by Indigenous children in the Americas.
A Palestinian child labourer at the Israeli settlement of Kalya on the Dead Sea
A child labourer in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Child coal miners in Prussia, late 19th century
A Chinese child repairing shoes, late 19th century
A child (pl. children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. It may also refer to an unborn human being. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority. Children generally have fewer rights and responsibilities than adults. They are generally classed as unable to make serious decisions.
International children in traditional clothing at Liberty Weekend
Children playing ball games, Roman artwork, 2nd century AD
Children playing the violin in a group recital, Ithaca, New York, 2011
Children in Madagascar, 2011