Pros and cons of 'kidfluencers'

Kids born during the social media era will never know what it’s like to live without it. This lack of opportunity to be just normal kids also resulted in the rise of influencer children, or what’s referred to as “kidfluencers.”

Kidfluencers are those under 18 who build their social media presence, whether for fun, fame, or financial gain. Since most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to hold an account, these children are expected to be supervised by their parents or guardians.

Some popular kidfluencers are often part of their family’s social media page, like Jette and Nimo of the Blackman Family or Kendra, Gavin, and Scarlett of Team Kramer. Other times, it can also be a standalone kid page, like Ryan’s World, Scalet Snow Belo Kho, or Niana Guerrero, who’s now 19 but started in 2013.

However, since they are still kids, what are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing them to build their social media presence and exposing them to the good, bad, and ugly side of it?

Advantages of being kidfluencers

Pros #1: Potential for financial gain.

One primary motivation for many kidfluencers and their parents is the potential for financial gain. It can be through ad revenues from YouTube, stars on Facebook, or brand partnerships and advertising.

Some kids who have amassed a considerable following can earn thousands of dollars. Since the conversion rate of dollars to pesos is often high, this becomes a huge advantage for kids and their families. For instance, $1,000 can be converted to ~Php57,000.

Pros #2: An outlet for creative expression.

Many influencers started with their parents taking pictures or videos of their kids and showing off their skills, such as singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, acting, or playing sports. Through social media, these kids and their parents can share their talents with a broader audience.

Kids can connect with fans and followers on social media to build a community, share a message, or raise awareness of certain topics. This can also open new opportunities for them to meet new people, participate in events, and, for a select few, enter showbiz.

Disadvantages of being kidfluencers

Cons #1: Possible exploitation.

Many kidfluencers started as a side project by parents who like documenting their children growing up. However, as their social media following starts to increase and monetize, their parents may force them to perform and create content, which can lead to anxiety and stress. Some children advocates even refer to this as a type of child labor.

There’s also the issue with how kidfluencers, particularly kids doing unboxing video content creators, which uses content to advertise to other children, which is illegal in some countries.

Cons #2: May lead to online bullying or harassment.

One very common danger for kids on social media is the risk for online bullying and harassment, which is an ugly side of social media. This can eventually have a major impact on a young person’s mental health, leading them to experience depression, anxiety, and academic difficulties at a young age. If adults are calling out “foul” for social media bullying, how much more can children handle these emotions?

Cons #3: May interfere with their studies and privacy.

Kids are supposed to be in school, being normal kids. However, becoming more focused on creating social media content may hinder their focus on their studies, affecting their future. It can also compromise their privacy, particularly if they have gained significant traction.

Cons #4: Possible negative long-term impact on children’s development.

While modern social media has only been around for over a decade, there have already been glaring issues that could potentially have a negative long-term impact on children’s development. Children who are exposed to social media early on compromise their privacy and are exposed to potential online bullying that may lead to mental health issues.

It’s also important to realize that these kids will eventually grow up and may face embarrassment when all their private moments are uploaded on social media without their say.

Cons #5: It’s not forever.

Despite the earning potential for kidfluencers, especially those who have gained a significant following, they are still under the policies of their social media platform. For instance, a YouTube page may earn thousands of pesos per month, but if they make one mistake, the online community may “cancel” them or get demonetized by the platform. There’s also the possibility that the social media platform may file for bankruptcy, taking all the content with them.

For instance, in 2022, there was an interview with a 15-year-old YouTuber who gained recognition after her mother posted that her daughter’s ad earnings made their dream of homeownership possible. However, upon checking her page, I noticed it’s no longer available for whatever reason. So, it’s crucial to have a plan B if kidfluencing doesn’t work.

Allowing your children to become kidfluencers has its advantages and disadvantages, which is crucial to examine first before exposing a child to social media influencing.

Would you allow your kids to become kidfluencers? Please share them in the comments below.