Youtube-The Debate

How is youtube impacting our society?

There are so many different topics people talk about on youtube. Between video game/show reviews, beauty/fashion, comedy, daily life (vlogging), fitness/wellness, etc. there is so much to explore. 96% of people aged 18 to 24 watch youtube.

Youtubers nowadays have such a large impact on their viewers (especially since a large number of them are young and impressionable). Fans can watch from all over the world and nowadays with smartphones, tablets, and laptops, they can watch their youtubers just about anywhere. You subscribe to the youtubers that you frequently watch and sometimes (especially when watching vlogs) you feel a closeness with that youtuber.

Let us review the negative/positive impacts that youtube has on its viewers and the youtubers themselves.

Positive:

Cheering Up

A lot of youtubers will add humor to their videos. This is great when you are having a bad day and could use some cheering up. I know from personal experience that watching youtubers got me through some really dark times.

Down to Earth

I think it’s great when youtubers talk about going to Taco Bell (Even though they make a decent amount of money). Or if they talk about wearing the same shirt for a few days. Or that they hate socializing. Hearing things like that makes them more relatable than a movie or television star.

Educational

Some (not all) youtube videos can be considered educational and informative. Videos about how to apply makeup, bake/cook a specific recipe, eat healthy, etc can be helpful in learning and trying new and interesting things. I know a particular youtube channel called the TryGuys, that try all different things on their show such as cross dressing, going to the chiropractor, American Ninja Warrior, eating new foods and many more.

Broadening the Mind

Youtubers can shine light on cultural issues and make their viewers aware of what else is out there. For example, there is a particular youtuber, named Molly Burke who is blind and educates about the blind community. She is a positive influence and loves fashion.

There are youtubers of all different cultures, sexual orientations, races, disabilities, backgrounds, etc that show that it’s okay to be different. They encourage you to love yourself for exactly who you are while also explaining the trials and tribulations of being a specific culture, race, sexuality, diasbled or being from a different background. This is definitely relatable but also encourages those who are different from one another to educate themselves and accept each other.

Can be either Negative or Positive:

Youtubers talking about Anxiety and Depression

I think that this can go either way. It is good that unlike some celebrities, youtubers aren’t afraid to talk about having anxiety/depression because so many people out there struggle with these things and shouldn’t be shamed for it. It’s positive that youtubers openly talk about going to therapy as well.

What makes it negative, is when youtubers go down the route of negative self talk. When they claim that they have no friends, or that they don’t like their body, etc. it can be damaging to not only themselves but to their viewers. Of course, nobody is going to be positive 99.9% of the time but if a youtuber is often portraying negative self talk, that will have an impact on themselves and their viewers. Hearing that frequently could cause their viewers to start doubting themselves.

Negative:

Youtuber Feuds

When youtubers feud, it’s a bad situation for both them and their viewers. When they make videos about the other person they are in a feud with instead of just going straight to the person, things tend to escalate. This is not a mature way to handle a disagreement and could teach their young and impressionable viewers bad habits.

Eyes are always Watching

When youtubers are creating and posting videos, they always have to be conscientious that what they are saying/doing can potentially offend their viewers. Or that what they are posting could be something that not everyone is going to agree with. The truth is, you are always going to offend somebody but it’s important that youtubers have a tough skin when it comes to feedback from their viewers.

Trying Stupid Things

Some youtubers do dangerous/stupid stunts in order to get good ratings on their videos. They may tell viewers not to try this at home, but the viewers are typically young and easily influenced. They want to do what their favorite youtuber is doing. Things like dangerous bike tricks or using a blowtorch is harmful to both the youtuber and their viewers.

So the question remains, is youtube more of a good or bad influence? Is it influencing the next generation in a positive or negative way? If it is negative, what ways can we (as viewers and/or youtubers) improve it to make it more positive?

Do you watch youtube? If yes, name some of your favorite youtubers in the comments below. I frequently watch youtube. Some of my favorite youtubers include: Shane Dawson (and his squad of course), Molly Burke, Safiya Nygaard, the Try Guys, and Gabbie Hanna.

Thanks for reading