Kids are living online, so it makes sense they want to get in on the fun. In a 2023 poll by Morning Consult, more than half of kids said they wanted to be social media influencers. As a dad, would you support that dream? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the dangers that come with being social media influencers.

Why This Matters

Kids want to be liked, so they tend to imitate the people who seem to be the most liked.

What Are the Dangers of Becoming an Influencer?

1. 1. Safety

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2024 that the followers of one particular pre-teen girl influencer was 92% adult men.

2. 2. Pressure

The pressure to produce daily content, look perfect, and maintain an audience is not something kids are equipped to deal with, nor should they.

3. 3. Exploitation

Once kids start making money it’s going to be hard for parents to pull the plug. The Netflix documentary Bad Influence is a perfect example.

4. Negative Feedback
Kids don’t usually have the experience, perspective, or identity to handle negative criticism from strangers.  

5. Social Media Impact
Influencing takes place primarily on social media, which invites kids to pursue the unattainable, namely being perfect.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:36 – 02:17 | The Kids Want to Be YouTubers
The conversation shifts as the guys talk about kids as young as nine creating YouTube gaming videos and learning influencer language.

02:17 – 03:38 | The Seven-Year-Old With 1,000 Views
A coworker’s daughter secretly posting vacation videos—and getting a thousand views—opens the door to the bigger question: how much exposure is too much?

03:38 – 06:22 | The First Red Flag: Who’s Watching Your Kids?
Stories of “kidfluencing” lead into a deeper concern: who exactly is consuming children’s videos online?

06:22 – 07:42 | Kids Are Still Developing Identity and Belonging
The hosts explain how identity confusion, insecurity, and the need for belonging make kids vulnerable when they broadcast themselves online.

07:42 – 10:39 | The Hidden Weight of Early Fame
The dads compare teen and pre-teen influencers to young athletes—kids with massive public exposure long before they’re emotionally ready.

10:39 – 12:25 | Disturbing Stats About Pre-Teen Influencers
The dads react to how algorithms funnel predators more kids to follow. 

12:25 – 17:01 | The Exploitation Trap — When Money Clouds Judgment
The dads discuss how even well-intentioned parents can get pulled into unhealthy patterns once money from kids’ content begins rolling in.

17:01 – 18:12 | No Laws Protect Kids Online
Hollywood eventually built protections for child performers while influencer kids currently have none.

18:12 – End | How to Respond When Your Kid Wants to Be an Influencer
The dads end with practical advice: start with conversation, ask hard questions, explain risks, and make the call that protects your child—not their online dreams.

APD Pro Move:
Have a discussion with your kids about influencers. Ask your kids who they are following on social media or watching on YouTube. Then ask them what they think life is like for those influencers.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.