Here’s what families need to know about influencer marketing, YouTube, and attacking algorithms in 2025.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Many of these news stories are ongoing and will be updated as we learn more.]
Table of Contents
Social Media Laws to Track
We will have a separate piece on AI and go into more depth on these laws.
Illinois passed a law in 2023 to be sure that any online channel where a minor is featured must set aside at least 50% of revenue in a trust. Then last May, Minnesota passed legislation to prohibit minors from appearing more than 30% of the content. Maryland, Utah, and Washington are also grappling with their own laws.
Moderation is so 2024, according to Meta. What does that mean? In addition to trying to replace actual human interaction with AI accounts, Zuckerberg thinks that fact-checking and moderation has been too toxic. Reporting harassment might not result in any actions, as they’re lifting a “number of restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate.”
TikTok TikTok goes the clock toward January 19, when we learn the popular app’s fate. Creators are bracing for the best or scrambling to move their followers/customers to other platforms. But everyone’s favorite talking head, the Legal Eagle, breaks down the legalities.
A specific mature website is not accessible in much of the southern US because those states require photo ID verification, which has caused many headlines to say that it’s banned. Watch this news to be sure they don’t start requiring it for basic reproductive education.
OutThink Approved YouTubers/Streamers
Animators: Last year I got hooked on Storytime Animators, and these excellent storytellers specifically: Haminations (I also enjoy his card game), illymation, Jaiden Animations, Let Me Explain Studios (Rebecca Parhan), TheOdd1sout (with some PG13 caution). Read more here
Gamers: This category is trickier, and I urge you to read our reviews pages for full context. Some gamers we suggest: SipherPK (Fortnite), StampyCat (Minecraft beginners), MANDO (Minecraft and more), PWR (verges on PG13 sometimes, Fortnite), and Shiloh & Bros (skits based on games IRL).
“I think what creators have to realize is the FTC is coming for creators. They’re realizing how much money is in this space and they want to start making an example and as we saw from the FTX situation, a lot of creators got sued because of what happened there. The FTC wants creators to disclose but also maybe do some due diligence.
Tyler Chou, Law for Creatives, on what creators need to improve for 2025. Read our Influencer Marketing Primers to identify and protect your kids — and wallets.
2024 News to Understand 2025
Oct 13: I finally admit that I gave MrBeast too much credit. Between allegations of mistreatment during the filming of the Beast Games and internal investigations into workplace harassment, among other things, he’s a bit in the doghouse. You can tell when a scandal’s about to hit with MrBeast, though, because he tends to go on the PR circuit. Read more.
July 24: Something I saw on our television sparked an investigation into Mimic Channels and How to ID Them.
Feb 23: Months of speculation and discreet posts from the Franke Family culminated in matriarch Ruby Franke convicted of four counts (1-15 years) for aggravated child abuse, to be served consecutively. Read why here.
2024: Crypto currency and financial scammers get in hot water — and your kids aren’t immune. Too many creators are embroiled in these financial controversies, and we must step up our financial literacy with kids.
Money is abstract as it is, and just imagine from your kids’ point-of-view, where we don’t even have to swipe anymore: money just flows from our phones (if you’re lucky). Here are a few inroads to teaching kids the basics of how the economy works, which they’ll need to begin their journey.
How can you spot them? Follow on Instagram to see our Fin-fluencer iceberg.
What news or YouTubers should I cover? Comment below!
Photo/Image Credit: Canva
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