What to Know If Your Child Wants to Be a Kidfluencer

Influencers: They call us their bestie, show off their hauls, and model their fits. It may seem harmless, but what happens if your child wants to be one? In this article, we’ll go over what kidfluencing is, the risks, and how to keep your kidfluencer safe online.   

What is a kidfluencer? 

A kidfluencer is a child who creates content online with the goal of gaining followers, generating views, and often making money through brand deals or sponsorships. 

The term is a mashup of the words “kid” and “influencer.” While social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok technically require users to be 13 or older, many kidfluencers start much younger, with parents managing their accounts. 

Some of these children build audiences in the millions — but the spotlight can come with serious safety and mental health risks. 

What are the risks of kidfluencing?

Kidfluencing isn’t something that should be undertaken lightly. Here are the risks you need to know:  

1. Predators. Many kidfluencers, particularly girls, have followings that include large numbers of men. In fact, investigations have shown that, when a user’s activity indicates they may be sexually interested in children, Instagram’s algorithm recommends additional child accounts for them to follow. 
2. Identity issues. Even when they try to show their authentic selves online, it’s hard for influencers of any age to not let the feedback and engagement of their followers shape the image they put forth. For kidfluencers, this can make it difficult to maintain a strong sense of self and a healthy separation between their online personas and offline selves. 
3. Exploitation. Men involved in child pornography often pose as photographers and social media professionals, offering to help kidfluencers and their parents grow their following.
4. Images could end up anywhere. Your child’s digital footprint could follow them well into adulthood. The more public their account, the more likely that will happen. One frightening place some kidfluencers' images show up is as screenshots traded on Telegram channels dedicated to child sexual exploitation.
5. Mental health issues. Similar to child stars, kidfluencers can experience burnout, depression, or anxiety. Constantly being “on” and chasing engagement can damage a child’s self-worth and emotional well-being.

What should I do if my child wants to be a kidfluencer? 

If your child wants to be a kidfluencer, take the time to carefully evaluate if it’s the right thing for them and for your family. Putting themselves online in such a public way is no small thing; it’s your job to help them make a sound decision. 

Here are some factors to consider:

1. Examine their motivations

Carefully evaluate if your child actually wants to be a kidfluencer, or if their motivation may be caused by subtle encouragement from peers or even other parents.

2. Talk about power and responsibility 

Kidfluencers have substantial influence over their young followers. Help your child understand their responsibility to be a positive role model. 

3. Establish firm boundaries 

Work with your child to decide what’s okay and what’s a no-go for their account. Consider:

• What topics they can and can’t post about. 
• Making sure the clothing they wear online is appropriate. 
• Are there aspects of your family life that are off-limits? 
• When can they be online and when do they need to shut down? 

4. Stay involved

To make sure your child stays safe, you should be involved in their account. That could mean your child creates the content but has no access to the account it’s posted on. It could also mean your child has some access, but you’re the only one who can access messages and control followers. 

5. Set realistic expectations

Some kidfluencers earn large amounts of money from their activity, but most don’t. Make sure you and your child both have realistic expectations for what might come from their efforts. If this is just a fun way for them to express themselves, do they really need to build an online presence, or can they just share videos with friends and family?

How to keep your kidfluencer safe online

If you and your child have talked through all the risks and decided to go ahead with their plan to be a kidfluencer, here are some steps you can take to help keep them safe:

• Educate them on the dangers. Don’t shy away from telling your child about the dangers they face if they want to be a kidfluencer. Teach them how to spot scams and grooming. 
• Teach them not to reveal personal information. Sharing their life online is a big part of what it means to be an influencer, but revealing personal information is very risky. Help your child find the balance between sharing and oversharing. 
• Stay involved. Monitor your child’s kidfluencing activities by participating in their account management, sitting down with them to discuss and review their content plans, and using a monitoring app like BrightCanary. 

In short

Being a kidfluencer might sound exciting, but it also brings real risks, like predators, exploitation, and mental health problems. If your child wants to be a kidfluencer, it’s important to educate them on the potential dangers and take steps to protect them online.

BrightCanary can help you identify if your child is angling to be a kidfluencer. If your child searches for topics related to becoming the next big influencer or messages friends about their plans, you’ll be able to see it. And our AI-powered Ask the Canary can help you find the right words to talk to them about it. Download the app today to get started. 

FAQ

What is a kidfluencer?

A kidfluencer is a child under 18 who creates social media content to build an audience and often earns money through sponsorships or brand deals.

What are the risks of kidfluencing?

Risks include exposure to predators, exploitation, mental health challenges, and loss of privacy.

How can parents keep kidfluencers safe?

Parents should manage account access, monitor messages, set clear boundaries, and use tools like BrightCanary to oversee online activity.