The world is completely hooked on technology and with many bringing in the big bucks with something as simple as creating videos, it is no surprise the youth wants to get some of the action too! From how we consume online content to the role models young children look up to, social media has changed the way we live. Kids now aspire to be content creators or social media influencers rather than firefighters or doctors. Becoming a YouTuber can be a fun and rewarding experience for children, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with the platform. Here are some things to consider:
First things first- You need to make a proper plan of conduct. Making a plan will not only help your family and child be prepared but also show them a glimpse of the amount of work it takes to be a YouTuber. So, are they a gamer who wants to create video game content, beauty lover who wants to do makeup tutorials, or are you making a family vlog? It is important to know what is it that you wish to attain from this channel creation.
You need to first understand online safety. Remember that YouTube is a public platform, which means there is always a risk of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators. So you have to make sure your child understands how to stay safe online, including not sharing personal information, reporting any inappropriate behavior, and knowing when to ask for help. The line of conduct needs to be defined in the proper way.
Then there is also the time management aspect. Creating and maintaining a successful YouTube channel can be a time-consuming process. Make sure your child is able to balance their YouTube activities with their schoolwork, social life, and other responsibilities. This is something that needs to be mastered properly. You have to know just how it will be leading to getting proper management of it.
It is important that parents also look into and consider any legal considerations. If your child is monetizing their YouTube channel, they will need to comply with the platform’s terms of service and any applicable laws or regulations. They may also need to obtain parental consent or legal representation. You also need to make sure that there is control over the creation of inappropriate content. This is definitely the biggest concern parents have when kids want to create their own account is inappropriate or explicit content, including swear words, sexual behavior, violence, and more. Luckily, there are various parental control apps to monitor kids’ online activity and keep them safe.
Lastly, you need to keep an eye on how it is impacting your children’s mental health. There is definitely the pressure to create content and maintain a following which can be super stressful for anyone, including children. Make sure your child understands the importance of self-care and taking breaks when necessary. They need to have a good understanding that this is just a part of their lives and should not be defining their whole existence. While it’s important to support your child’s interests and passions, but also to be aware of the potential risks and to help them stay safe and responsible online. You can let them have the best of this world but do so with certain limitations.
