How did child labor change during the Industrial Revolution?

During the Industrial Revolution, child labor increased significantly, especially in factories. As industries expanded, there was a growing demand for cheap labor, and children became an essential part of the workforce due to their ability to work for lower wages than adults. Factories often preferred young workers because they could be easily trained for specific tasks, such as operating machinery or performing intricate assembly work, which contributed to the efficiency and profitability of manufacturing processes.

This rise in child labor was also fueled by the fact that many families relied on the income generated by their children to make ends meet in economically challenging times. Children were also employed in mines, textile mills, and other industrial settings, often under harsh and dangerous conditions. The prevalence of child labor during this period highlighted significant social and economic issues, which later led to movements advocating for reform and change in labor laws.

As for the other options, while there were movements that aimed to reduce child labor and increase regulations, they mainly developed in response to the horrific working conditions rather than indicating a decrease during the initial phases of industrialization.