Kidbait YouTubers Are Making Millions While Children Are Being Manipulated

Kids are being pimped out for views on YouTube.

Sean Kernan
OneZero

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Editorial rights purchased via iStock Photos

In an ideal world, I’d be writing about all the reasons things are going to be fine, how the sun will come out tomorrow, how it’s going to be all music and rainbows from here on in.

It’s not happening.

YouTube Kids is not only bizarre, it’s often chaotic, pointless, and disorienting. There’s minimal talking and obnoxious sound effects, smiles, boops, bops, and blings. There’s usually no story or actors.

Researching this article was absolute hell. I spent an inordinate amount of time grimacing and contorting my face in pain.

The massive avalanche of annoying kids content

The incentives for kid creators are huge: 9-year-old Ryan Kaji made $29.5M in 2020 and was the highest-paid YouTuber.

He made his money by opening presents and playing with toys. No stories. Just a kid running around in his backyard. He isn’t talented at playing with toys; not should he be. He bumbles along with them like any other child.

It has become common for parents to see their children watching other kids play with toys. Meanwhile, their own toys sit on the…

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OneZero
OneZero

Published in OneZero

OneZero is a former publication from Medium about the impact of technology on people and the future. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Sean Kernan
Sean Kernan

Written by Sean Kernan

I'm a nommer. Submit your articles to my publication Corporate Underbelly and I'll try to help you get boosted.