Shenzhen 30 Teenagers Plan Library Activities: Examining Minors' Autonomy and Guardianship Responsibility Boundaries from a Legal Perspective
Recently, the Buji Street Branch and Longling School Branch of Shenzhen Longgang District Library jointly held two special Harry Potter-themed immersive reading performances. What made them unique was that these two events were entirely planned and executed by 30 children aged 9 to 12. From scheme design and role assignment to on-site hosting and prop making, everything was decided by the children through voting, with library staff only providing basic guidance. This model of "youth-led, librarian-supported" not only allowed over 300 readers to experience a novel reading activity, but also sparked reflections on the legal issues behind minors' participation in public cultural activities. As lawyers, we focus not only on the excitement of the event, but also on the minors' autonomy, guardianship responsibilities, and the legal obligations of the event organizers involved.
Legal Basis and Rights Protection for Minors' Participation in Activity Planning
Article 19 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China stipulates that minors over the age of eight are persons with limited capacity for civil conduct, and may independently carry out civil legal acts that purely benefit them or that are appropriate to their age and intelligence. In this incident, the 30 juveniles, aged between 9 and 12, are exactly in the stage of limited capacity for civil conduct. They participated in planning library activities, such as voting to decide activity plans, claiming posts, making props, etc. These acts belong to activities appropriate to their age and intelligence and have legal effect.
From a legal perspective, encouraging minors to participate in public cultural activities is not only a requirement under Article 44 of the Law on the Protection of Minors regarding "cultivating minors' good moral character, developing their intellectual capacity, and enhancing their physical fitness," but also a practical implementation of the "Reading for All" concept advocated by the Public Cultural Service Guarantee Law. As a public cultural service institution, libraries have a responsibility to provide platforms for minors' participation, and this activity is precisely an example of translating legal safeguards into practical action. However, it should be noted that when minors participate in activities, the legal consequences of their civil acts are still borne by their guardians; therefore, the event organizers must ensure that every step operates within the legal framework.
The Event Organizer's Duty of Safety and Security and the Boundary of Liability
During the event, 30 young participants led interactive sessions including life-sized chess board challenges and magic craft workshops, attracting over 300 readers on-site. This presented the event organizer — the library — with stringent security safeguard obligations. Pursuant to Article 1198 of the Civil Code, operators or managers of business premises and public venues such as hotels, shopping malls, banks, railway stations, airports, sports stadiums, and entertainment venues, as well as organizers of mass activities, who fail to fulfill their security safeguard obligations and thereby cause harm to others, shall bear tort liability.
As the organizer of a public venue, the library must ensure that activity venues are safe, facilities are stable, and processes are orderly, especially when activities are led by minors, where supervision and emergency preparedness need to be strengthened. For example, a live chessboard challenge involves running and interaction, so the organizer should inspect the venue in advance for sharp objects, ensure the floor is slip-resistant, and arrange sufficient staff or volunteers to assist with supervision. In addition, since most activity participants are minors, the organizer should also develop emergency response plans to quickly respond to emergencies such as crowding or injuries. Otherwise, once an accident occurs, the library may face legal liability. In this activity, although the library staff only provided "basic guidance," their legal duty of safety protection was not reduced as a result; on the contrary, more comprehensive considerations were required due to the young age of the participants.
Balance between guardian responsibility and minors' autonomy rights
The highlight of this event is the "all-member CEO" division of labor model, where 30 teenagers each take on their own roles. For example, 11-year-old student Zhang is responsible for the magic crafts booth, and from design to rehearsal to on-site teaching, she needs to coordinate materials and soothe readers. This kind of autonomous practice fully reflects the agency of minors, but it also raises legal issues of guardianship responsibility.
Article 1188 of the Civil Code states that where a person without capacity for civil conduct or a person with limited capacity for civil conduct causes harm to another, the guardian shall bear tort liability. This means that if a child injures another participant during an activity due to improper operation, such as the use of hand tools, their guardian may be required to bear compensation liability. Therefore, while granting autonomy to minors, activity organizers must ensure that the content of the activity is appropriate for their age and skill level, and provide necessary safety guidance. For example, whether the tools used in a craft workshop are safe or whether a game segment is overly intense should all be assessed in advance.
From a parent's perspective, having children participate in such activities is a good opportunity to cultivate independence and rule-awareness, but guardians should also fulfill their guardianship duties. Before the activity, parents should understand the details of the activity, assess the risks, and inform their children of basic safety knowledge; during the activity, if parents are present, they should assist in maintaining order. The law does not restrict minors from participating in social practice, but a guardian's "letting go" does not mean "washing their hands of it," but rather providing reasonable guidance within the legal framework.
Legal Risk Prevention for Minors in Public Cultural Activities and Lawyer Recommendations
These public cultural activities led by minors, while carrying positive significance, also harbor potential legal risks. As a lawyer, I advise event organizers to note the following points in similar projects:
First, sign a written agreement. Before the activity, the organizing party should sign an activity notice or liability waiver agreement with the guardians, clearly defining the activity content, risk warnings, and division of responsibilities. This is not only a legal requirement but also effectively avoids subsequent disputes. Second, purchase insurance. Purchasing public liability insurance or accident insurance for activity participants is an effective means of transferring risk, especially when minors are involved, as insurance provides additional protection. Third, establish a supervision mechanism. Even if the activity is led by minors, the organizing party should arrange for professional personnel to be present throughout the entire process, conducting real-time supervision of hazardous segments to ensure safety measures are properly implemented. Fourth, focus on the protection of personal information. If minors' photos or names are used in activity promotion, consent should be obtained from guardians in advance. According to Article 28 of the Personal Information Protection Law, processing the personal information of minors under the age of fourteen shall require the consent of the minors' parents or other guardians.
For parents, when encouraging children to participate in such activities, they should choose organizers with proper qualifications and a good reputation, and communicate with their children about the activity content to understand potential risks. If a child has an accident during the activity, parents should preserve evidence as soon as possible and promptly consult a professional lawyer to protect their lawful rights and interests.
Conclusion: Let the Law Safeguard the "Youth-Led" Initiative
The "Youth Pie" activity at Shenzhen Longgang District Library is a vivid practice of public cultural service innovation, allowing children to grow through reading and learn about the law through hands-on experience. The law should not be a constraint, but rather armor that safeguards minors' independent exploration. Whether organizers, guardians, or participants, all parties should fulfill their respective duties within the legal framework so that more similar activities can be carried out safely and orderly. Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm has long been dedicated to the protection of minors' rights and interests and compliance in public activities. If you encounter legal issues during the organization or participation of activities, you are welcome to consult us, and we will provide professional support.
