As a father in my fifties with two daughters, I am really concerned about my children. For that reason I am having a mixed feelings about children becoming influencers. To be honest, I do not like it when the the idea is driven by parents. Because most of the time they do it to seek fame, money and attention. In a way they are exploiting their own kids. But if a child wants to do by their own because they genuinely enjoys creating content. Then I would love to support them because they have pure intentions, they just wants to share their hobbies or talents. I would only appreciate it if it's taken care of with proper guidance and limits.
My biggest concern is that at young age children can not decide what's wrong and what's right. They will blindly believe their parents. So, they do not question their parents for any weird things. Also, children does not know the risk of living a public life. Being an influencer is not an easy task, they will have to work hard everyday it's not just about making funny videos. Children might feel pressure of expectations, which is not good for a child's mind. When they expose themselves to a larger audience, their mental health could be at risk as well. At young age children are supposed to enjoy themselves and worry less. But being an influencer will make them worry about pleasing followers not only that, they constantly needs to maintain online image.
As a parent, I would say that it's our responsibility to protect our children, we can not make them work like a slave for us and not think of them as a source of income. Unfortunately, there are already parents like that who are using their children for money and popularity. For an example, Britney Spears is a famous singer. Since childhood she has been exploited by her own father. Her father exercised excessive control over her life and finances. So, I don't support this kind of parenting, where the child does not have freedom to do their own thing. I would definitely call this child abuse.
Parents should never become focused on views or fame than on their child's well-being. For a child content creation should feel like something enjoyable not like a job, because it's not their age yet. They are young they need to enjoy life as long as they can, when we grow up eventually there's so many responsibilities. So, no need to increase more responsibilities at a young age. If parents are only worried about views the kid might have the same kind of thinking and they might end up doing something wrong.
I also believe children need time to develop their own identity. They need to know themselves at first. At a young age they don't know what they truly desire, because of their thinking capabilities and knowledge. When they grow up they will make mistakes and learn from it, in a way they will end up discovering who they actually are. Also, there should be a limit to the content sharing. Every moment should not be recorded to publish online, there must be some kind of privacy. Because when they grow up they might regret for doing those things at young age.
That said, I am not completely against children appearing online. If one of my daughters had a passion for creating videos I would definitely support her interests. I would make sure she has proper knowledge about social media and how to protect her privacy. Content creation should not become a burden which is placed by adults on the children, instead it should become an enjoyable hobby.
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