Time on YouTube beats T V
AS a mum of a teenage daughter and a son of six, I’m very aware of the power of YouTube and I love it. With 300 hours of video uploaded every minute and almost five billion videos watched each day, this is the new way our kids see the world.Well, it’s new to us but not to them. My kids no longer watch TV, preferring to see their favourite YouTuber on an iPad. I took Amber to an eventvent to see the Sidemen, sevenven lads who upload videoss of themselves playing video games like FIFA. They have more than 46 million subscribers. Hundreds of children,, each wearing some merchandise, were eager to meet and greet these online stars. I’ve spent a small fortune on Sidemen hoodies, T-shirts and books. Amber queued patiently for over 90 minutes to meet one of them and then two hours in the rain for them to emerge after the event. Jacob told me:“I want to be a YouTuber,” and he tells his school friends that’s what he is. He was so excited to meet EthanGamer at the Digital Kids Show in Manchester. Uploading a video, with an account, can be done straight from a phone but you have to be 13 and over. Most of the young stars’ parents do the technical stuff, which also saves them from negative comments. I write an online family blog, ourfamilylife.co.uk, and I’ve had aYouTube chan channel since 2013. Planet JacobJa channel started after he pestered me to record him opening and playing with toys. I record, edit and upload t the videos. All our family have learn learned new skills through watching YouTube tutorials. It’s the new way to entertain today’s kids and possibly make some money for their futures. I don’t see it as a bad thing.But only if it’s managed properly.