Influence of YouTube

April 2019

The entertainment industry is constantly changing with each new generation, and today, one of the biggest platforms is YouTube. Whatever you want, whether it’s a funny vine, a tutorial on how to do your math homework, or your favorite basketball analysts, it’s all in the same place. With these endless opportunities come free to every person on earth, YouTube is pretty much the most popular entertainment platform ever. 

Teenagers and adolescents, in general, are highly susceptible to influence of any kind, but are especially affected by trends in popular media. Being a teen myself, I realize how much I gravitate to things that are popular over what I like a little more. Creators on YouTube, YouTubers, have a responsibility to know their audience, which is often younger, and can heavily impact their fan’s public behaviors. YouTube is known for its ability to portray anything your Youtubers post, but YouTubers are merely human beings who post videos for the public. With no filter, there are benefits and disadvantages. Does this freedom have the potential to corrupt young minds?

You have an essay due tomorrow. Sitting down to do it, your mind wanders to your phone. “Just one video,” you say. “It’ll only be a minute.” Next thing you know, it’s two hours later and you’re somehow watching a James Harden flop compilation. Sound familiar? It’s the addictive nature of Youtube at work. 

Another addictive factor of the YouTube platform is its tendency to breed drama. Anyone familiar with YouTube can think of at least one creator mainly known for his or her controversies? Often, these same people have a massive following, many of which are other teens. These influencers’ actions, whether it be crazy stunts with the potential to harm others, or constant profanity or offensive language, can be harmful to young minds. Seeing these behaviors being praised by giving them likes and subscribers by the millions is hazardous, as young people could mirror this behavior and expect a similar approval.

A common stress on teens this generation is thinking about the future. Adulthood to many is a looming pressure of uncertainty, asking questions like, who am I? Who do I want to become? What do I want to do with my life? This may be a surprise to some, but YouTube is often a place of careers. 

YouTube is home to billions of people with completely different lives, recording and sharing them for all to see. It is important to realize that the individuals we love and follow, and the topics we are interested in learning more about are not coincidences. YouTube is the powerful tool to do what dreams you want to chase, and that it is possible to achieve them. Many basketball Youtubers started of has kids who wanted to be a pro, unable to do so, they are gifted the opportunity to talk about what they love or play a video game they love for a career. As a Youtuber, 10 people could subscribe to your videos and you have made a dollar. Dude Perfect, what started as college roommates making a trick-shot compilation, now are worth a staggering 10 million dollars in total between the five of them along with being a celebrity and hundreds of endorsements.