Remember when child stars only came from TV shows and movies? Everything changed when YouTube came along. Suddenly, everyday kids could become instant celebrities right from their homes.
- A three-year-old unboxing a new toy? Millions of views ✅
- A shaky clip of a toddler naming dinosaurs? Viral ✅
- Teens having a Nerf war or bottle-flipping battles? Famous ✅
This all started in the early 2010s, and soon, parents noticed these cute videos weren’t just getting likes—they were making money. Big money. And they didn’t require Hollywood agents or expensive productions. All it took was a camera, a decent internet connection, and a good amount of viewers who clicked “subscribe”.
As YouTube grew, so did the industry around these up-and-coming stars. What started as casual family vlogs or fun little experiments quickly turned into full-blown brands, some of which hit the million-pound mark!
- Parents became managers.
- Playrooms turned into studios.
- Childhood became a career.
But what happens when these kids grow up? Let’s find out.
Ex-YouTube Kid Stars & Where They Are Now
Here we look at famous YouTube kid stars and what they’re up to now:
Ryan Kaji from Ryan’s World: From toy reviews to business empire
Ryan started his YouTube career in 2015 when he was just three years old. What started as unboxing and reviewing toys has quickly become a leading kids’ entertainment brand, now with 38.8 million subscribers and 50+ billion views!
Today, Ryan is a teenage multi-million-pound mogul with a channel that uploads 25 videos per week. While still maintaining a family-centric theme, Ryan has shifted away from toy reviews to more diversified content made up of DIY hacks, science experiments, and prank videos that grow with his audience.
Apart from his YouTube channel, he starred in Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, a TV show that aired on Nickelodeon between 2019 and 2023, and sells toys and other merchandise on Amazon!
This kid even snagged a Guinness World Record in 2019 for the most-watched YouTube channel, and his upcoming Ryan’s World Movie is set to launch this August! Phew!
Fortunately, Ryan’s parents (who often appear in his videos) are all about balance. At the end of the day, Ryan is a normal kid who likes tennis and anime, and his parents have made him feel “comfortable enough” to take a break from the glitz and glam if he ever feels like a break.
Evan Lee from EvanTubeHD: The OG who goes to college
Next on our list is Evan Lee from EvanTubeHD. He kicked off his career back in 2011 at the age of five, inspiring many other kids to start their own channels along the way, including Ryan Kaji!
This Pennsylvania-born young man currently has 7+ million subscribers and an incredible 4.5 billion view reach. What started as Lego and superhero action toy reviews has turned into a digital empire consisting of gaming videos, challenges, vlogs, and quirky reactions to TikTok reels––alongside his parents and younger sister, Jillian.
Now a college student majoring in screenwriting, Evan has toned down his YouTube appearances to focus on his studies but still earns a decent sum of passive income from his older videos. Talk about the ultimate college fund!
Alexis & Ava McClure from The McClure Twins: Double impact tycoons
Identical twins Alexis and Ava McClure became viral sensations at three years old with their “Twins Realise They Look the Same” video. Now 12 years old, these girls have replaced early-day accidental fame with a YT audience of 4 million subscribers and over 2 billion views––and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon!
Today, the McClure Twins have branched out into other social media platforms like Instagram and are among Forbes’ Top Influencers elite. They appear in twin telepathy TV shows and collaborate with other influencers, all with their parents’ guidance.
Currently homeschooled, Alexis and Ava are dedicated to growing their social media presence and continuing to build their brand.
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Other YouTube stars:
Sophia Grace & Rosie: The British cousins who went viral on The Ellen Show in 2011 reenacting Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass, are still making digital waves. Today, Sophia Grace is a mum of two and a content creator sporting her very own fashion brand, LoLo London. According to Rosie’s Instagram, she’s a singer-songwriter with a new track launching at the end of February (2025). Go, girls!
JoJo Siwa: Joelle Joanie “JoJo” Siwa is an American singer, dancer, actress, and YouTuber known for her BIG personality and signature bows. The turning point in Siwa’s career came when she appeared on the Dance Moms show in 2015 and started showing off her talents on YT that same year. Since then, JoJo has gained worldwide popularity with a 497,000 YT following. She continues to create a positive impact through her music and has even launched a successful merchandise line.
Like Nastya: Anastasia Radzinskaya, a Russian-American girl known online as “Nastya,” began her YouTube channel in 2016. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, her parents originally created the channel to document her speech development, concerned she might never speak. Starting with simple family videos, Nastya’s progression and charm quickly won over a global audience. She speaks seven languages and has 126 million subscribers! This remarkable young lady, along with her parents, continues to create multilingual, entertaining videos for children.
MattyBRaps: Matthew Morris is a singer and YouTube star who gained fame for his hip-hop covers and original songs as a child. He continues to make music and interacts with his fans across YT and other social media channels.
Justin Bieber: The original YouTube-to-superstar story, Justin was just a kid posting covers on YouTube. Today, he’s one of the best-selling artists worldwide, proving that online fame can lead to mainstream success.
The Upside: Growing Up YouTube Famous
There’s no denying that YouTube fame has its perks:
Financial security
Many of these kids earn more money by the time they reach puberty than most adults make in a year (or a lifetime!). With cash-savvy parents, they’re pretty much set up for life, not having to stress about college tuition or downpayments for their first home.
Early opportunities
From brand deals and sponsor partnerships to TV appearances, there’s no doubt being a famous YouTuber opens many doors. Take Ryan Kaji, for example—in just a few short years, he went from unboxing toys to becoming a global kids’ play and entertainment brand.
Skill-building
An early YT career can teach kids valuable lessons, such as confidence in front of the camera, entrepreneurial skills, and a deep understanding of digital realms.
The Downside: Drawbacks & Ethical Concerns
While the glitz and glam is great and all, there are pitfalls of being a famous YT kid:
Lack of privacy
Most of these youngsters trade in their childhood for a career of making content, robbing them of not being able to “just be a kid”. Every tantrum, birthday, or even personal struggle might end up in a video. Unlike child actors who just play a role, YouTube kids are the role.
Exploitation and family control
The burning question lingers: Who really benefits from the money made? While some parents save earnings for their children, others have been accused of squandering it or pocketing the profits themselves.
Also, when “times are good”, parents may push their children to make more content even when they don’t want to. It’s hard to tell when making videos stops being fun and starts feeling like a proper job!
Mental health struggles
Growing up in the public eye can be rough on anyone, especially kids. The constant pressure of maintaining an online persona, dealing with online trolls, and living up to certain social expectations can lead to anxiety, burnout, addiction, and depression.
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Additionally, the constant pressure could lead to unfiltered outbursts online––like that time popular gamer Ninja lost his cool and later Tweeted that he “just needs a break”.
Education and friendships
Early fame can seriously impact little (and big!) ones’ lives, especially when YT channels gain momentum. When classrooms are traded in for content strategy meetings, and friendships are swapped for brand deals, it can have a negative effect on grades and social development.
Think about it: If YouTube kids’ content calendars are bursting at the seams, when will they have time to do homework or play with other kids? It’s a lot to handle.
The Content Creation Shift: From YouTube To TikTok
YouTube was all the craze in the early 2010s but the digital playground has changed a lot since then.
The rise of TikTok & Instagram
While YT traditionally required long-form content, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram let young digital dynamos make quick, fun videos in seconds This new angle allows kids to create spontaneous, authentic content that resonates with their peers.
But, do kids today have it better or worse than YouTube child stars of the 2010s?
The rise of “kidfluencer” laws
With more and more kids becoming internet famous (even toddlers can go viral!), countries are making new rules to keep them safe online.
Enter: kidfluencer laws (yeah, for real!)
Here are three places that already have some form of legislation in place:
- France: Limits working hours for children under 16 and requires their earnings to be held in a bank account until they turn 16.
- China: The Law on the Protection of Minors stipulates that children cannot have live broadcasting accounts.
- California: Parents who profit from “kidfluencer” content must set aside at least 15% of earnings into a trust fund for their children. This law applies when children are featured in more than 30% of their parents’ content.
Parent Tips: A Guide For Navigating The Digital Spotlight
As parents, we can learn a lot from YouTube’s first-generation child stars. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the online world if your kid is deadset on being a content creator:
- Consider long-term impact: Today’s cute moment might become next decade’s embarrassment. Before posting online, ask yourself if this content serves your kids’ interests or hobbies or if it’s just for likes and follower count.
- Set limits: Encourage your kid to still live a normal life off-screen. This means you could set boundaries where they cannot film every single detail (like going to the loo or recording when mates are around). Protect their privacy, always!
- Let kids lead: If your child shows an interest in content creation, let it be fun––not a job! Listen to your kids and don’t be too pushy. Call us old-fashioned, but it’s best to prioritise your kid’s well-being over engagement and views.
- Protect finances: If your moppet’s content does start generating a profit, ensure proper money management for their future.
The Conversation Continues
From toy reviews to million-pound empires, the journeys of these YouTuber kids certainly highlight incredible opportunities (and challenges) of growing up in the spotlight.
As parents, we must be mindful of the long-term impact of online exposure on our youngsters, so let’s prioritise their well-being over likes, followers, and views.
Will we see stricter laws? Will children of influencers one day sue their parents for exposure? Only time will tell. Join the discussion and pop your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback in the comments section below.
We’d love to hear from you…
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