I sat down to watch a kid influencers YouTube video to gain firsthand insight. Specifically, I watched a video called Things. That. Go. Bump! by BabyTeeth4. BabyTeeth4 has about 1.6 million (yup MILLION) subscribers and features two sisters named Jillian and Addie. The two sisters are primarily known for their reviews on candy, but the video I watched was slightly different. I have attached the video I watched below for reference.
As you can see in the video, it has a slightly spooky aspect to it. Their swing was moving mysteriously, and books were flying off of their bookshelf. I believe this video, in particular, is popular because it leaves you on the edge of your seat. They investigate why these mysterious things are happening, but don’t show you why in the video. They tell you to watch the next video to find out. This cliffhanger is similar to what we see on television shows. Television shows leave you at a point in the episode where you have to watch again next week to find out what happens. Although I did not find the video entertaining, I can see why kids would enjoy this content. Also, they allow their viewers to interact with the video. They tell you to comment on what you think will happen next. Allowing people to interact with your videos will enable them to become more engaged with your content. Viewers can feel like they are a part of making the content. I am not surprised children enjoy this content. Children love mystery, and this video provides them with that.
After watching this video, I decided to see what a video with their usual content, such as the candy reviews, is like. I have provided the video below for you to watch.
Again, I did not enjoy watching the video, but I can see why children are fond of them. What child doesn’t like candy? It is easy for kids to resonate with Julian and Addie in the video. After watching the video, kids probably run to their parents, asking them to buy these new candies. One thing I found interesting was that the dad mentions in the background that they do live in the US. He stated that there were a lot of questions in the comments asking that question. This leads to me the dangers of being a kid influencer.
It is no secret that the internet is dangerous. As a parent of kid influencers, these dangers may even be heightened. If you post a video leaking too much information about where you live, you risk dangerous people gaining your address or knowledge about you. Your videos also show your house, allowing people to gain insight on the layout. You expose your children to potentially hateful comments. By your child being an influencer, you are allowing people to see their likes and interests and potentially putting a target on their back. Although there are many dangers associated with having your child be a kid influencer, I feel that there is a risk with everything we do. Parents of kid influencers must be hyperaware of what content is being posted, and the dangers of the online world.
Not only are there dangers for the kids that post this content, but there are risks involved for the children watching this content as well. In particular, I want to talk about the risks involved for children that viewed the Things. That. Go. Bump! video. This video was slightly scarier. Depending on your child’s age, they may have nightmares. Although Julian and Addie know the content is fake because they made the video, other younger viewers may not be able to put the pieces together that the content was staged.
Additionally, there are a few risks involved for younger viewers in relation to their candy reviews. It is reasonable to say children are heavily influenced by what they hear and see. It is also known all children have different likes and dislikes. Things that Julian and Addie say in their videos about liking a specific candy or disliking a particular candy can influence the viewers view on that candy even if they would have initially loved it. In the book, Women and Girls and Social Media, it states, “Increasingly, girls, ages 11–21 feel pressures to “present themselves as having a ‘perfect’ life.’” (Vega-Castaneda, 2019) Kids may feel as if they do not have a perfect life if their life is not similar to Julian and Addie’s. It also states, “The unreal expectations for girls and teens, as depicted on social media, may contribute to the disconnect that girls feel: trying to live up to the actresses, models, or performers they see on Instagram or any other social network, for example, perfect hair, make-up, style.” Girls watching their videos may be comparing themselves to the two girls, ultimately affecting their wellbeing. Lastly, by watching their videos in general, your kids may be exposed to certain things they may not have otherwise.
It is interesting to watch children interact with the same platform’s adults use but in a different way. Even adults have various reasons for using platforms. Are there effects of children using these platforms at such a young age? I am sure there are, but it’s hard to tell with this being such a recent idea. I am sure we are just beginning to see the effects of having kid influencers online, and what these effects may have on our future world.
References
Vega-Castaneda, L., & Castaneda, M. (2019). Teaching and learning about difference through social media. Women and Girls and Social Media, 86–103. doi:10.4324/9781351238212
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