Under the Influence of The Royalty Family

We are what we watch. And there’s a reason why our kids take the advice of YouTubers and other influencers more than we assume they do. Thanks to journalist Grace Draznin for interviewing me in Today’s Parent around family vloggers and how they are also influencers. From the piece:

“YouTube feels much closer to a child’s life than traditional TV shows,” says Jenkins. “They can pick up a phone and take videos too.” She says this can create unrealistic expectations about money and what it takes to earn it.

Jenkins emphasizes that parents should help their children understand that what they’re watching is a performance. “Children won’t necessarily think it’s scripted because it looks real,” she says. “They need to understand that these people are actors—even if they’re presenting their real life.”

Many thanks to Today’s Parent for this thorough look at the complexities of family vlogs as entertainment, including advice from myself and other experts on opening that dialogue with your family.