"My Dream Is to Be a YouTuber" Kids Jumping into YouTube, Concerns over Exploitation and Deviance

4th Most Desired Occupation Among Elementary and Middle School Students: 'YouTuber'
Elementary Students Share Earnings, Makeup, Fashion Shows, and Various Content
Concerns Over Provocative Videos and Child Abuse
71.1% of YouTube Users Say "Worrisome"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] The number of young children jumping into YouTube to become video creators such as YouTubers and BJs is increasing. However, concerns about abuse, exploitation, deviance, and fake news targeting them are also significant.

As the YouTube market gradually grows, 'YouTuber,' a profession that can generate income regardless of age, is gaining popularity among elementary and middle school students. According to the '2020 Elementary and Middle School Career Education Status Survey' announced on the 24th by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training, creators such as YouTubers, BJs, and streamers ranked 4th (6.3%) among desired occupations.

With YouTubers gaining popularity as future careers among minors and various content easily visible, YouTube actually features diverse content such as 'Introducing a 6th Grade Elementary School Makeup Table,' 'Elementary School YouTuber ○○○'s Earnings Disclosure,' 'Elementary School Student Makeup,' and 'Elementary School Student Room Fashion Show.' Some of these channels have more than 50,000 to 100,000 subscribers.

Recently, an elementary school YouTuber disclosed monthly YouTube earnings of around 1 million KRW on their channel, and another children's channel YouTuber with the highest number of subscribers in Korea reportedly bought a building in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with YouTube earnings two years ago, causing a sensation.

A middle school YouTuber who posted content revealing YouTube earnings. Photo by YouTube capture

However, as the number of minors dreaming of becoming YouTubers increases, concerns about exploitation, abuse controversies, and side effects of content production continue.

Last October, an online community post shared a parent's anxiety, stating, "A man approached after watching my elementary school daughter's YouTube."

Mr. A, who has an elementary school daughter, said, "My daughter occasionally uploads videos on her YouTube, and suddenly I received a message from her asking, 'Can I call the person who commented on my YouTube?'" Upon checking his daughter's YouTube, Mr. A found that the other party was persistently demanding contact with messages like "Let's meet," "Call me," "Where do you live," "My phone number is 010-XXXX-XXXX," and "Why aren't you calling?"

The age of the YouTube user who left the comments was not confirmed, but netizens expressed concern, saying, "If it's not a peer, the situation could become serious."

A video by an elementary school YouTuber claiming to be 'Jodusun's son.' Photo by YouTube capture

There are also criticisms regarding deviance and fake news caused by producing sensational content. Last November, ahead of the release of child sex offender Jo Doo-soon, an elementary school YouTuber caused controversy by claiming to be "Jo Doo-soon's son."

The YouTuber uploaded a video titled "I am Jo Doo-soon's son. Don't mess with my dad," saying, "If you mess with Jo Doo-soon, I will shoot and kill you all," and "Now that Jo Doo-soon is being released, it's okay to interview him, but don't insult or hit him," recording 38,000 views in two weeks with such provocative content.

Regarding YouTuber ranking high among desired occupations for elementary and middle school students, an online survey conducted by the Korea Press Foundation Media Research Center from the 3rd to the 9th with 1,000 YouTube users found that 71.1% responded "concerned."

One mom cafe member, Ms. B, said, "The world has changed a lot, so I understand, but as a parent, I am still worried," adding, "There are people behind the internet, and young children may not realize that and get hurt. I am also concerned that they might get absorbed only in videos before exploring other paths."

Experts suggest caution as inappropriate content may arise in such situations. Professor Kwak Geum-joo of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said, "With the era of one-person media, more people are trying to gain attention through YouTube," adding, "However, competition to find more sensational elements than others may lead to immature content."