One in three children aged 8 to 12 say they want to be social media influencers when they grow up, with the number even higher among Gen Z, presenting new challenges for parents as Australia’s social media age ban takes effect next Wednesday.
The trend has made content creation the number one career aspiration for Australian children, according to Sharyn Smith, founder of influencer marketing agency Social Soup.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kids’ influencer dreams meet age ban reality.
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“The number one career aspiration of our kids is to be a content creator. We’re all supportive of creativity and it is a viable career choice now for children,” Smith said.
“I think it’s about how we build sort of creative pathways for children.”
The upcoming age restrictions will force children under 16 who are already making money from social media content to lose those income streams, as brands move to no longer partner with underage creators.
Social Soup founder Sharyn Smith. Credit: 7NEWS Children under 16 who are already making money from social media content might lose those income as the new ban takes effect. Credit: Supplied Smith said young aspiring influencers could use the time to develop their skills in safer environments.
“They can be doing that within safe circles, within closed networks and smaller groups,” she said.
“So when they’re ready to hit the big platforms, they’re ready to do that.”
The discussion comes as China introduces laws requiring some influencers to hold relevant university degrees, though Smith notes Australia already has some of the world’s strongest regulations for content creators in areas like finance, health products and therapeutic goods.
Despite working in the social media industry, Smith supports the new age restrictions both as a business owner and parent of teenagers.
“It gives parents options to have those conversations,” she said.
“From a content consumption point of view, it reduces the opportunities for them to be exposed to harmful content at an early age.”
Smith suggested there were alternative messaging apps children could use to stay in touch. Credit: 7NEWS Smith said there were alternative messaging apps children could use to stay in touch.
She also encouraged parents to lean in and listen as the ban takes effect, and to “really understand how their children are feeling and where they’re coming from”.
Smith’s agency already refuses to work with content creators under 18, meaning the new laws won’t affect her business operations.