Child labor laws once kept kids and young adults from hazardous coal mines and grueling sweatshops.

But even then, the laws were designed by unions to limit competition against their established adult workers.

Today these laws rob teens of their freedom to achieve at a young age. Many would much rather spend time working a meaningful job or internship than wasting time in public schools.

Hell, the way online entrepreneurs are being turned out these days, it would be better to leave these young folks in their bedrooms with a computer.

But right now, there are quite a few legal restrictions for teen workers.

14 and 15-year-olds are generally not allowed to work more than 3 hours per school day or 18 hours per school week. All the work must be done outside of school hours, even if they are homeschooled.

But there is an exception for unpaid internships or work-study.