Does your kid want to become an youtuber?

ome kids dream of being YouTubers when they grow up. They see the success of top vloggers and think, "I can do that too!" And while there's nothing wrong with wanting to be a YouTuber.

The movie stars have been replaced by content creators, and the red carpets have been rolled up and stored away. In their place are meet-and-greets, fan conventions, and social media influencers who have found fame by sharing their lives online.

For some kids, becoming a YouTuber seems like the perfect way to achieve their dreams of stardom. After all, becoming a YouTuber star is accessible to anyone with a camera and an internet connection. And while it's true that YouTube has launched the careers of many successful content creators, kids need to understand that the path to YouTube success is not always straightforward.

We need to accept that kids have different hobbies than what we used to have

The world has changed a lot since we were kids. Some new technologies and platforms didn't exist before. It's important to accept that kids have different hobbies than what we did when we were their age. From the time children are born they are listening to songs on Youtube, teachers use YouTube to teach in the classroom and kids are growing up with this technology.

I remember when I was a kid, I used to love playing outside with my friends. We would ride our bikes, play tag, and just have a lot of fun. Times have changed, and now kids are spending more time indoors on their devices. While I may not understand it, I accept that it's just a different way of growing up.

I have to accept that my son's hobby is different from what I used to do at his age. I didn't grow up with YouTube, but I can see how it can be a positive influence in his life. It's a way for him to be creative, share his interests with others, and connect with people from all over the world.

What excites kids about YouTube? What drives their motivation?

Kids are naturally curious and love to express themselves. YouTubing lets them do both. They can explore their interests and share them with the world. It's a way for them to connect with others who have similar interests, and it's a way for them to be creative and have fun.

I have seen my niece watching makeup tutorials since a very young age, she is fascinated with make-up and spends hours watching them. She also got herself gifted a makeup box set to practice what she sees. She is a very creative and confident girl. From my niece, I have learned that kids are mostly drawn to YouTubing, because of the creativity it offers to them. They can experiment with different looks and styles and share their results with others.

Do kids love to talk like the YouTubers?

Many kids watch YouTube videos to learn new things or find out how to do something. They're curious and want to know more about the world around them. Others watch because they're entertained by the YouTubers they follow. They enjoy watching someone else's life and hearing about their day-to-day experiences.

My son watches a show called Chris-Fix, he is fascinated with the way he talks, especially he is drawn to the cars he fixes using various tools. He talks to himself when he is playing with cars in the same way as he has seen Chris-Fix talk.

I have observed the same thing in my niece, she talks like Youtubers while making these videos.

Are Children looking for attention?

Some kids may start YouTubing because they're looking for attention. They want to be popular and have people admire them. While there's nothing wrong with wanting attention, it's important to be aware of the motivations behind why you're doing something. If your only goal is to get views and subscribers, you may not be putting out content that's truly authentic or interesting to others.

My son once told me that he was not getting enough views, and he was very upset.

I had to explain to him that it is not necessary to have a lot of views, what is important is that he is doing something he enjoys.

Talking to kids about instant gratification?

Many kids (and adults!) get caught up in the idea of instant gratification. They want to see results immediately and get disappointed when they don't. It's important to explain to kids that success takes time and hard work. There's no overnight success on YouTube (or anywhere else!). If they're putting out quality content and being consistent, they will eventually see results.

I have seen my son taking a break from YouTubing when he is not getting enough views. I have spoken to him and explained to him that it takes time to grow a following. I tell him to be patient and keep working hard, and that eventually, he will see the results he wants.

The growing tendency to chase fame and money through Youtubing in kids

As YouTube becomes more popular, there's a growing tendency for kids to chase fame and money. They see people who are successful on YouTube and want to be like them. While it's okay to have goals and aspire to something, it's important to keep things in perspective. Not everyone is going to become a famous YouTuber. And that's okay!

My niece recently told me that she wants to be a YouTuber when she grows up. I asked her why and she said because she wants to be famous and make lots of money. I explained to her that while those things are possible, they're not guaranteed. I told her it's important to do something because you enjoy it and are passionate about it, not just for fame and fortune.

What safety measures kids need to be aware of when posting content?

When kids start YouTubing, they need to be aware of safety measures. They should not give out personal information like their address or phone number. And if they're posting videos of themselves, they need to make sure their parent or guardian is okay with it first.

I have spoken to my son about safety measures he needs to take when posting content.

Before my son uploads a video, we have a reviewing process to check if the content is appropriate. We make sure the video is family-friendly and doesn't include any personal information. We also check to see if the audio and visuals are clear. We do the editing together. This helps him understand the work that goes behind uploading content.

When their content is public they need to know that others will comment on their post, they should not take it to heart

When kids post content on YouTube, they need to be aware that others will comment on their videos. They should not take the comments to heart and should always respond politely and respectfully.

I have spoken to my son about the comments section on YouTube. I have explained to him that not everyone is going to agree with what he says and that he should be prepared for negative comments. I have told him that if someone leaves a hurtful comment, he can report it to YouTube.

Parents need to extend their guidance beyond monitoring the number of time kids spend on Youtube

Parents need to extend their guidance

‍They should also be aware of the content their kids are watching and uploading. They should make sure their kids are not posting anything that is inappropriate or could put them in danger.

When kids decide to create video content, parents need to teach them the skills they need to be successful. This includes things like editing, filming, and promoting their videos. By teaching them these skills, you're setting them up for success.

I have helped my son with some of his YouTube videos. I taught him how to edit his videos and how to promote them. I also showed him how to film himself so that he could get better footage. These skills have helped him become a better YouTuber.

Even though parents should help their kids, they need to know when to give them space. There will come a time when kids need to do things on their own. This is when they need to learn how to be independent and make their own decisions.

I have given my son some space when it comes to his YouTube channel. It's important to check their channels and see how they are progressing.

Officially, YouTube forbids children under the age of 13 from creating their accounts, and children between ages 13 and 17 are only allowed to open accounts with parental permission. Of course, these rules don’t say anything about parents opening an account for their child; this is allowed. 

"What that data showed was that by far the most successful approach to managing your kids use of technology is to set some limits on it, but equally to really focus on how you will teach your kids to use technology effectively," Alexandra Samuel -technology researcher and writer.

Allowing kids to have a Youtube channel or not is a personal matter for families to decide. Some parents feel YouTube is a great way for kids to creative, while others worry about the potential dangers of posting videos online.

Do explore privacy setting  with your kids, so they are aware of how their content can be shared. Keep the lines of communication open so they feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns.

No matter what you decide, the most important thing is to talk to your kids about their YouTube activity. Keep the lines of communication open so they feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns.Monitor their activity and help them create a channel that is safe, age-appropriate, and creative