GOOD Morning Britain viewers have accused a guest panellist of promoting “child labour” after she revealed she is setting up “kidfluencer” academies in a bid to make children online stars.
Co-founder of infleuncer agency Viral Talent Laura Edwards claims that her monthly courses will provide children from as young as two with the “confidence and editing skills” to launch their YouTube careers.
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Laura claims that “kidfluencers” are simply “the new media” after it was revealed that parents in the US are paying up to £800 to send their children to similar summer camps to learn the skillsets to become a viral sensation.
Arguing in favour of this intensive training, Laura appeared on the segment along with children’s presenter Kevin Duala who worried about the effect “kidfluencer” camps can have on kids’ mental health and safety online.
Laura said: “For a child to be a ‘kidfluencer’, it’s a way of them creating their skill set – it gives them confidence, communication skills.
“Some of our influencers are dancers and footballers so it’s an opportunity for them to express their creative skills.”
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In recent years, child influencers (such as Ryan Kaji of Ryan ToysReview) have gained millions of subscribers and sponsorship deals as a result of their hugely popular toy unboxing videos.
What’s more, Laura claims that child influencers are actually SAFER online thanks to their parent’s constant supervision of their various social media accounts.
She said: “It’s actually safer because the parents run and manage the channels, so it’s actually safer than each child individually having their own account.
“If they’re not an influencer, as parents you don’t know what they’re looking at unless you monitor it. Whereas families manage these accounts and police the likes and comments.”
“The children go to the summer camps to learn how to edit, learn how to film, to learn how to make a thumbnail in order to make good content.”
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While Kevin pointed out that children’s flourishing internet careers could detract from their schooling, Laura added: “It takes about 15 minutes to half an hour to film a video and it’s the parents [who edit them].”
Highlighting how top-earning “kidfleuncer” Ryan Kaji reportedly eatrns £16.8m a year, Kate Garraway claimed Laura’s academies are “turning them into advertising tools as young as 8.”
“This is new media. This is influencer marketing,” Laura argued. “If you go into a classroom and ask them how many children want to be influencers, I can guarantee you it will be in excess of around 40 per cent. It’s just the way of their life now.”
According to new research by Anwin, nearly one in five children in the UK 11-16s want to be influencers as their full-time job.
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However, GMB viewers were left reeling by the segment – with some even likening “kidfluencer academies” to child labour on Twitter.
One user raged: “This woman is making money from families who want to make their children famous and get freebies”
“Parents are put under pressure from these ‘kidfluencers’ and children will ask for every toy shown.
“They are being used as advertisers and where’s the safeguarding for them etc.”
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Similarly, a second wrote: “This is actually just another example where the online world isn’t regulated.
“This gap is there because they banned advertising kids toys on TV.”
Picking holes in Laura’s argument, another fumed: “Communication skills??? Don’t they get that at home or at school?”
Meanwhile, one user wrote: “Thought going to camp was meant to be all about having fun, making friends, learning new things and making memories?”
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