The growth of social media has presented new opportunities for young and old alike to express their lives, skills, and voices to the world. Amid this change, there’s a new thing that’s come to the fore in the past few years – children as social media influencers. Unboxing toys on YouTube, dancing on TikTok, kids have managed to earn attention (hearts) of millions of followers around the world.
But a trend often brings a conversation that’s worth exploring at a deeper level: Should kids be social media influencers? Proponents say it can open up doors to creativity, financial opportunity and jump-start their careers, while others voice concerns ranging from privacy and exploitation to potential long-term impact on mental health.
This blog takes a look at both sides of the discussion, providing a glimpse into the pros and cons of kids as influencers. As a parent, educator or watcher of the digital age, this post is here to help you make sense of this multi-faceted and evolving issue.
What Does It Take to Promote a Kid to Social Media Influencer?
Before we parse out whether this is a good or a bad thing, let’s unpack what it means to be a young social media influencer.
A child social media influencer is an individual who has achieved a sizable following on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, and is under the age of 18. These children frequently share content in genres like entertainment, education, toys, fashion, gaming, or lifestyle.
One of the most successful is Ryan Kaji of Ryan’s World, who started on YouTube when he was 3. His YouTube videos reviewing toys have racked up billions of views, resulting in brand deals, licensing agreements, and his own line of merchandise.
As social media gains popularity, however, many of these child influencers have grown beyond posting and have become brands in their own right. But are there hidden consequences behind the seemingly glamorous life?
What Are the Benefits?
Seismic Risk and Creative Self-Expression
Social media gives kids a chance to find their voice creatively. Content creation enables kids to cultivate and showcase acting skills, choreography, storytelling, or design. These experiences can foster confidence, train kids in technical abilities such as video editing, and enable them to find a passion at a young age.
For instance, children who are enamored with teaching science experiments or art tutorials can now impart those skills to the world, not only bringing value to their audience but also helping them blossom intellectually and creatively.
Financial Opportunity
One of the most straightforward advantages to being a child influencer is getting paid. Corbett Popular influencers are regularly courted by brands in sponsorships, ad revenue, and product deals, which can make social media a lucrative, if time-consuming, income stream for families.
In some cases, the money all of these kids have made has gone to their education or their family’s financial stability. Consider, for example, the case of Nastya, a YouTuber barely out of middle school who was born in Russia but whose family has spun her channel into a $28 million a year enterprise.
Early Career Building
Developing these skills is why we believe that getting kids online will be essential in the next decade, as they develop skills around marketing, entrepreneurship, and engaging with audiences are likely to be the makings of the careers of the future.
A lot of child influencers get to turn their talents into jobs in media, the entertainment industry, or even product entrepreneurship. These children are learning discipline, time management, branding, and communication from an earlier age than many adults, some might argue, giving them an advantage in the professional realm.
You can learn more about: How to Become a Social Media Influencer
The Risks and Challenges
Privacy and Online Safety
Privacy is high on the list of concerns. Kids who post too much about their personal lives online run the risk of cyberbullying, online predators or unwanted public scrutiny. Their lives are frequently put under a public microscope, and there is not much space for the kind of privacy they deserve, in which to grow and make mistakes and to do so without being judged.
Parents can also invade their children’s privacy inadvertently when they overexpose their own lives to “keep up” with their social presence, thus further compromising their ability to control their public presentation.
Exploitation and Consent
One of the primary ethical questions that arises regarding child influencers is the issue of consent. Adult influencers may choose to participate in trips, content or schedules. Adult influencers are able to make informed decisions about their choices, yet children can’t and don’t fully understand what is involved.
There are instances where parents and guardians, when put under pressure, prioritize economic benefit over children’s welfare, and in the process, the children become vulnerable and are exploited. While there are laws designed to protect the earnings of child actors, often referred to as Coogan Laws, they are a poor fit for the influencer economy.
The Psychological Fallout Over the Long Haul
Fame at a young age may also have detrimental effects on kids’ mental health. The constant stress of trying to hold on to an audience, or worse yet, to grow one, can contribute to stress, burnout, and performance anxiety. This might also foster a toxic link between their value and likes, comments, and the number of followers.
Moreover, as a child becomes older and outgrows his or her “cute”-ness, or the fad changes, children risk feelings of being abandoned or irrelevant, leading to a child’s well-being in definitely being affected.
How Parents Can Respond to the Question
Parents of young aspiring influencers, and any parent trying to decide whether to encourage that decision, will do well to consider the complexity of that decision.
- Set limits: Decide how much time your child should spend producing his own content versus screen time vs experiencing world.
- Education First: Social media can have financial benefits, but not at the expense of a regular education, relationships or age-appropriate experiences.
- Put Privacy First: Choose what about your personal life to share as a parent online and employ safety measures to guard your child’s identity.
- Be Honest About Money: The Money the child is making should mostly go to the child, and savings should remain a goal.
- Ask Their Input: Make sure your child is excited, willingly participating, and involved in content creation so they can be part of the creative process. They should be empowered, not coerced.
A Balanced Perspective
The issue of whether kids should become social media influencers is anything but a simple yes or no. And for some children, perhaps, it can be a form of personal and creative expression; and for others, a route to the trials that shape everything from their upbringing to their mental health.
In the end, it depends on the family, the child’s temperament, the protections we put in place and the intention behind its content. If handled with care and consideration, parents can make virtual schools a worthwhile experience versus one of regret.
Thinking about allowing your child to chase their social media dreams? Begin by establishing a system that stresses balance, education, and mental well-being.