Children as Social Media Stars: Risk or Reward?

Children in Content Creation: Opportunity or Risk?

In the United Arab Emirates, more and more parents are deciding to involve their children in social media content creation. It is not only family videos or funny moments that appear on the screens – children are now becoming the main characters in daily vlogs, brand appearances, and sponsored content, often before they even understand what it truly means to 'be in front of an audience'. This raises new questions: who decides on the child's participation, what are the boundaries, and what could be the long-term consequences?

Social Media as a New Lifestyle

Many parents cite the inevitability of digital change. They believe that social media is not only a platform for entertainment but also a legitimate career path of the future. Today's children do not necessarily dream of traditional professions: influencer, vlogger, streamer – these are roles that seem natural to a generation.

Some parents take a particularly conscious approach to content creation. They establish pre-planned time frames, allow children to have a say in creating videos, and let them freely decide whether they wish to participate in a recording or not. These families often emphasize that for them, shared content creation is an experience, a game, and an opportunity to connect – not a compulsion or performance, but a form of modern storytelling.

Money and the Future

Content creation is not only about experiences but also about money. In some families, videos already bring in real income, which – according to the parents – is entirely set aside for the children's future. At the same time, many fear that their children will fall behind if they miss out on this rapidly changing digital world.

The UAE government has also recognized the trend: the content creation industry is growing, and with it, the issue of online protection for children has become more prominent. A federal regulation already imposes specific obligations on guardians and digital platforms to prioritize the digital safety of minors in all situations.

Psychological Effects

While most parents refer to supervision and good intentions, psychologists and child protection experts see the situation differently. Social media attention, likes, views, comments can quickly form a kind of dependency or distorted self-image. Children may easily link their self-worth to the audience's reaction.

It can be particularly dangerous when a child's identity is still developing. The boundary between private and public life may blur if every day, feeling, reaction is made public. In the long run, this can make it difficult to develop independence and to later freely reshape one's self-image, regardless of the online persona built based on others' expectations.

Experts also highlight that due to the social media 'instant feedback' mechanism, children may be more prone to anxiety or stress, especially if the content does not receive enough attention or positive feedback.

Parental Responsibility

Some parents vehemently reject the assumption that their children are victims of exploitation. They believe that as long as the child enjoys participation and has the option to withdraw, it cannot be considered exploitation. They see it simply as a new form of storytelling – adapted to the present.

Experts still advise parents to regularly review the child's participation to ensure that it truly serves their interests. Financial transparency and preserving future decision-making opportunities are also important: the child should have the right to decide later whether they want to continue their online presence or take a completely different path.

Where is the Line Drawn?

One of the biggest challenges is that there are currently no clear boundaries. The difference between content creation and child labor often blurs, especially when participation is regular and generates income. More people are calling for lawmakers to establish clearer frameworks to genuinely protect children from hidden exploitation, overexposure, and potential psychological burdens.

Summary

The example of Dubai and the entire UAE demonstrates that the development of the digital world creates new opportunities – but also imposes a new kind of responsibility on parents and society. Children's participation in social media is not necessarily a problem if handled carefully, thoughtfully, and with the child's interests in mind.

However, due to the psychological effects, privacy protection, and long-term identity development issues, everyone involved – parents, platforms, policymakers – bears a significant responsibility. Childhood is irreplaceable, and therefore should not be shaped solely into content optimized for an audience. True value is not measured in likes – neither today, nor tomorrow.

(Source: Based on parents' testimony.)