Rocking Cyberspace: Kids Dream of Becoming YouTubers & Influencers

New research shows that YouTubers and influencers are the top dream careers for children.

According to a study of 1,700 children aged seven to 12 and their parents, 27 per cent of kids want to be YouTubers and 17 per cent dream of being the next social media influencer. A desire to break free from the office 9-5 is a priority with 77 per cent of kids saying they would favour a creative job over a role in the office.

The study was commissioned by Guide Dogs as part of the launch of their Every Dream Counts campaign to help those with visual impairment achieve their goals.

Award-Winning Actress Olivia Colman said: “When you are little an exciting rite of passage is to dream about what you’ll be when you grow up. It’s great that Guide Dogs is supporting and empowering children with a vision impairment to make their dreams a reality.”

Ranking highly was also footballer (16 per cent), professional gamer (15 per cent), zookeeper (14 per cent), dancer (ten per cent), artist (ten per cent) and actor (ten per cent).

Parents were also polled for their opinions and a quarter were worried that their kids might not achieve their dreams. A further 44 per cent believe it is not easy to make money by being an influencer or content creator. Over a third felt their children might have unrealistic expectations when it comes to how they will earn a good salary in the future.

The campaign was organised after it was revealed that 75 per cent of visually impaired adults are out of work. Many celebrities are supporting the campaign and have spoken of their dream jobs when they were growing up.

Dame Joanna Lumley said of the findings: “I wanted to be Prime Minister, a brain surgeon, a famous explorer and a pirate. But then I discovered that as an actress it was rather easy to be all these things, and a queen, wicked aunt, Tiger Lily, singing cow, ghost and ragdoll as well. Hey, diddly dee! An actor’s life for me!”

And presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady added: “When I was very young, I wanted to work on the counter of a Dry Cleaners, then I wanted to be a secret agent and if they wouldn’t have me, it was a toss-up between becoming a Chemist or working at Chester Zoo.”