The term child actor is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion the latter is also called a former child actor. Closely associated is teenage actor, an actor who reached popularity as a teenager.

In some countries child actors in the performing arts (television, film or stage) are prohibited from doing certain things. In these countries, a child actor may not:

1. risk his or her physical well being (no dangerous stunts)
2. be exposed to morally compromising situations
3. be nude or partially nude
4. engage in overt sexual acts
5. to be victims of any kind

Compulsory education laws mandate that the education of child actor not be disrupted while the child is working. Whether a child actor is enrolled in public school, private school, or home school, the child does schoolwork under the supervision of a set teacher while on the set.

Finally, the hours a child actor may work are limited. Generally, stricter time limits are imposed for younger actors. A very young infant might be allowed "under the lights" only a few minutes a day. It is common in television production for the role of a young child to be portrayed by identical twins or triplets to reduce each child's time on set. When a child turns 18, the legal limits on work time are lifted.