[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Thinking back to our school days, it\u2019s unlikely our guidance counselors ever suggested \u201cinfluencer\u201d as a potential career path. Yet today, <\/span>more than half of Gen Z<\/span><\/a> say they want to become influencers, drawn by the allure of fortune and fame – even if it\u2019s only fleeting.<\/span><\/p>\n So if your teen has expressed interest in becoming an influencer, they\u2019re certainly not alone. However, there are important risks and challenges you should all consider before deciding to embark on an influencer journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The definition of an \u201cinfluencer\u201d is a surprising source of debate. Some broadly label an influencer as an online celebrity or someone with a large number of social media followers. But an influencer is more than that:<\/span> an individual, usually with a large and highly engaged social media following, who has the ability to sway the opinions and behavior of others,<\/b> especially their spending habits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To turn their internet fame into a living, influencers produce content in specific fields like beauty, fashion, fitness, travel, or food, to build and engage an audience. They turn that engagement into cash through a variety of channels – including brand partnerships and sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, ad revenue, fan support and subscriptions, selling their own products, and making paid appearances.<\/span><\/p>\n While the presence of some influencers spans different platforms, most are primarily associated with one, for example, TikTok or Instagram influencers. At the time of writing, Instagram is where businesses <\/span>spend the most advertising dollars<\/span><\/a> towards marketing with influencers. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Though often used interchangeably, \u201cinfluencer\u201d and \u201cstreamer\u201d refer to different types of online content creators. When talking to your teen about their online aspirations, it\u2019s worth determining which path they want to go down, as the risks and challenges can differ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An influencer creates pre-recorded content intending to shape opinions, trends, and sway viewers\u2019 spending habits, typically on platforms like <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a>, TikTok, or YouTube. A streamer, on the other hand, broadcasts live video over the internet – often gaming on platforms like <\/span>Twitch<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Kick<\/span><\/a>, or YouTube Live – while interacting in real time with their audience.<\/span><\/p>\n If your teen has dreams of becoming a streamer, you\u2019ll want to check these <\/span>four tips to help them stream safely<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Based strictly on social media appearances, it seems like influencers live a charmed life – they get paid to travel, eat in nice restaurants, stay in luxury hotels, and get cool stuff sent to them for free. So the question should be, who wouldn\u2019t want to be an influencer?<\/span><\/p>\n In reality, only a select few make it to that level, and behind the glamorous photos lies a great deal of hard work. Still, the allure of their internet idols’ lifestyles can be extremely enticing for young people who want to replicate them themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n While some teens are drawn to the idea of celebrity and wealth, others might want to become influencers to connect with others and build a community. Some are simply passionate about expressing their creativity and using their editing skills to engage an online audience.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Most social media platforms set 13 years old as the minimum age for account creation in the U.S. (in compliance with COPPA). Other countries require users to be older; for example, in France and Germany, this age rises to 15. Beyond legal considerations, more important factors include a teenager\u2019s developmental readiness and emotional ability to handle the challenges of sharing their life with strangers online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With kids immersed in platforms like Instagram and TikTok from a young age, it’s not uncommon for preteens to want to become influencers. Some parents allow – and even encourage – this, leading to a practice known as \u201ckidfluencing\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While a kidfluencer can be anyone under 18 who produces content for a large online audience, the practice of kidfluencing more commonly refers to younger children who act as influencers on social media under the guidance and management of adults (usually their parents), primarily for financial gain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This has led many to believe that kidfluencing is a <\/span>form of child labor<\/span><\/a>, raising serious concerns about child <\/span>rights, privacy, consent, exploitation, and long-term psychological impact<\/b>, to name a few.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2025\/06\/03143331\/2025-05-Blog-Gemini-AI-for-under-13s_InsideImage.png” alt=”teen filming online content” title_text=”2025-05 %91Blog%93 Gemini AI for under-13s_InsideImage” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” align=”center” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n It may seem like a dream job, but being a teenage influencer carries with it a unique set of pitfalls and safety risks. These can include:<\/span><\/p>\n Cyberbullying<\/b><\/p>\n The larger your teen\u2019s online audience, the more likely they are to attract \u201chaters\u201d. While online negativity can be difficult for anyone to handle, minors are often less equipped with the emotional tools to deal with hateful and abusive comments.<\/span><\/p>\n Inappropriate demands<\/b><\/p>\n Anyone with an online presence can be exposed to harmful people, like <\/span>predators<\/span><\/a>. However, influencers are in particular danger as they are more likely to interact with strangers and brands, especially if their DMs promise opportunities to make money or build their audience. This can lead to teenagers being asked to do things they\u2019re not ready for, such as posing with little clothing or undertaking <\/span>dangerous challenges<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Oversharing<\/b><\/p>\n An influencer spends a lot of time interacting with their followers, and sometimes they may let slip personal information that can have harmful consequences. These dangers can be even greater for teenagers, who may not fully grasp the risks of revealing personal data. Sharing details like their home address, school, or phone number can expose them to serious threats, including <\/span>doxxing<\/span><\/a>, harassment, scams, and grooming.<\/span><\/p>\n Grind culture<\/b><\/p>\n Grind or hustle culture is rife in the world of influencing, where many creators believe the more work you do, the more successful you’ll become. Unlike a typical 9-to-5 job, influencing can happen anywhere, anytime – all an influencer needs is a smartphone and an internet connection to create content or engage with their audience. For a teenager who may not yet have fully developed impulse control, this overwork can lead to burnout, as well as them falling behind at school.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Strain on mental health<\/b><\/p>\n Burnout and excessive screen time aside, the pressures of being an influencer can take a serious toll on a teenager\u2019s mental health. Social media use has been shown to <\/span>negatively affect self-esteem<\/span><\/a> – and these effects can be amplified for teen influencers, who spend much of their time online, under the world\u2019s magnifying glass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If left unchecked, an influencer\u2019s self-worth can become tied to likes and follower counts, while hateful comments from jealous strangers can lead to upset, anger, or mental health issues. The phrase \u201ccomparison is the thief of joy\u201d has never been more relevant than in the context of social media; it\u2019s easy for influencers to fall into the trap of constantly measuring themselves against their peers, fueling anxiety and eroding self-esteem.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you’ve considered the pitfalls and want to be involved in how your teen posts on social media, these tips can help them stay safe.<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Get involved<\/b><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to run their account or micromanage, it\u2019s important you still take an active interest in what they\u2019re posting, who their followers are, and how certain comments make them feel.<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Take privacy precautions<\/b><\/p>\n While pumping out content to engage an audience, sometimes an influencer may let slip details about their personal life, and as they say, <\/span>nothing gets truly deleted from the internet.<\/b> Teens have to be extra vigilant as they tend to have less-developed impulse control, and may not realize the full consequences of revealing personal data to strangers online.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This list isn\u2019t exhaustive, but here are a few ways your teen can protect their privacy online:<\/span><\/p>\n 3. <\/b>Use safety settings<\/b><\/p>\n Some social media platforms have safety features that your teen should know about before starting to post. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Set fair time limits<\/b><\/p>\nWhat does it mean to be an influencer?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Influencer vs. streamer: what’s the difference?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why might a teen want to be an influencer?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How young is too young to be an influencer?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What is kidfluencing, and why is it controversial?<\/b><\/h2>\n
The risks and challenges faced by teenage influencers<\/b><\/h2>\n
4 tips to help keep your teenage influencer safe online<\/b><\/h3>\n
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BrandArmy, a content subscription service,\u00a0 has \u201cJunior Channels\u201d which allow under-18s to join the platform and post content for subscribers. <\/span>However, we found several red flags<\/a> and do not recommend the platform, despite it being aimed at teen creators. X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook lack suitable built-in safety features for teens, so it\u2019s best to avoid these platforms.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n