Many teenagers have watched online influencers gain fame, money and notoriety by YouTube ad revenue, sponsorship, affiliate marketing, and selling their own products. Some have went viral on Tiktok or Facebook by posting comedy style videos, cooking tutorials, or even by giving their opinions of celebrity gossip and current events. These are fun ways to make money and even gain fame if that is what you are after, but this also discourages teens from working regular jobs or going to college or joining the military. Some high school age children see people getting rich by having fun and posting online, they may feel like college is some far fetched dream that will take up too much of their free time. Everyone wants instant success and short cuts to fame and fortune. As we move more into the digital world where everything (almost everything) is online within our fingers reach. This is where everyone spends their time, it would make sense to make some money and avoid commuting to work and filling out a bunch of job applications that probably will never call back anyway. However, we must realize and teach our children that everyone is not going to gain instant success and become a big name money making online personality.
Going to college, starting a business, or working a regular 9 to 5 job is still something to look forward to and more realistic. We still need doctors, nurses, lawyers, bus drivers, teachers, and retail workers. These jobs may not be for everyone, but neither is going viral and getting rich from a podcast. College is still something to thrive for. It's a place to network, find identity and figure out what you want to to do for the rest of your live. College is about finding long lasting friendships, building lifelong bonds and get prepared for the world outside of our parents nest.
With the high cost of living, just about everyone is looking for a second income or a way to work less and make more money while having more time to play and party.
