There are also various combinations and modifications of these two basic approaches to a definition. According to the first approach, any type of work done by children under that stipulated minimum age should be banned. According to the second approach, not all the work children do is naturally bad or harmful, but can contribute in some cases to the development of children. Child labour is then defined according to negative effects of work on children. Measure child labourers according this approach will give a wrong impression of the child labour problem.
Child labour is a complex problem that is very much debated.
This debate is dominated by the distinction between 'child labour' and 'child work'. Child labour implies that children are engaged in employment that is harmful to a healthy development of children. The harm may come from dangerous chemicals or machinery, long hours of work, psychologically damaging conditions and so on. Child work is thought of as 'good' or 'beneficial', refering to occupations where children can learn to take responsibility or prepare themselves for their own maturity. It is not so easy to draw sharp lines between destructive and beneficial child labour.