Should You Put Your Kids on YouTube?

Thoughts from a YouTube mom

You’re probably here because you are wondering whether or not you should put your kids on YouTube for the world to see. Maybe it’s something your kids are begging for, or maybe it’s your idea. Maybe you have a vision for your child to be the next Ryan of Ryan’s World, or you want to start a vlog. Maybe you are already making videos, but want to know if you should involve your children.

Perhaps you’ve heard people say that it’s wrong to put children on YouTube, because they can’t consent. Well, guess what? You are the parent. You get to consent for them…just like you do when they go on a school trip, get dental work or vaccinations, or even go to a trampoline park…or basically, you know…anything. If they were to be cast in a Hollywood movie, you’d have to consent for them because they are a minor and you are the parent. It’s the same thing when you are putting your child in a video on YouTube that lots of people could potentially see.

For me personally, I made my YouTube channel in 2006 when my first son Rowan was born. I started YouTube as a way to showcase my student films I had made in film school and to share videos of my baby with friends and family who lived out of state. One of my first videos was a 25 second long video of Rowan laughing. Back then I had no idea I’d one day make a career out of my YouTube channel, or that it was even possible.