In our previous blog, YouTube Overview for Parents, we gave you an overview of popular YouTube genres and the top names behind them. In this blog, we are highlighting 9 YouTubers Parents Need to Know About, to make you familiar with the most popular channels tweens and teens are talking about.
Tweens and teens seem especially drawn to videos in the gaming, comedy and vlogging genres. You’ll notice all the YouTubers listed here fall under those genres. You will also notice that many of these mature YouTube channels have profile pictures that are enticing or misleading to children. Misleading profile pictures like these, are just one of the reasons YouTube has come under fire for child safety.
This list should serve as a starting point as you begin to navigate the massive world of YouTube for or with your child. While all the YouTubers featured here are listed as appropriate for individuals 18 years and older, only you can decide what your child is ready for. Arming yourself with this knowledge will allow you to guide your child’s online journey.
9 YouTubers Parents Need to Know About
1. Markiplier
- What You Need to Know: Mark Edward Fischbach known online as Markiplier is a YouTube gamer. He specializes in “Let’s Play” videos – a live commentary of his online gameplay – commonly in survival horror video games. His videos contain uncensored profanity and the games he features are intended for mature players.
- Number of Subscribers: 24.9 million
- Genre: Gaming
- Recommended Age: 18 +
- What You Need to Know: Jenna’s satirical how-to videos, including “How To Avoid Talking to People You Don’t Want To Talk To” as well as off the wall tutorials like her “Drunk Makeup Tutorial” and humorous vlog style videos, have gained her a huge teenage and young adult following. Her topics are often mature and her language is uncensored.
- Number of Subscribers: 20.1 million
- Genre: Comedy
- Recommended Age: 18+
3. KSI
- What You Need to Know: KSI, whose name stands for knowledge, strength, and integrity is an English YouTuber who started as a gamer but has ventured into challenge videos, comedy and most recently, a music career. His videos contain profane and sexual language and material.
- Number of Subscribers: 21 million
- Genre: Vlog
- Recommended Age: 18+
- What You Need to Know: The three puppets featured in Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’s videos resemble popular children’s show characters. While each video begins like a typical show they each contain a disturbing, often gory, plot twist.
- Number of Subscribers: 2.12 million
- Genre: Comedy
- Recommended Age: 18+
- What You Need to Know: With Mario (of Nintendo fame) as the profile picture this channel is misleading. The videos feature plush puppets in various skits. The language and content are mature and uncensored.
- Number of Subscribers: 8.29 million
- Genre: Comedy
- Recommended Age: 18+
6. Deji
- What You Need to Know: Deji is a YouTuber based out of the UK. He began as a gamer but his channel now includes vlogs, skits, challenges, and pranks. The content is lude and uncensored.
- Number of Subscribers: 9.95 million
- Genre: Vlog
- Recommended Age: 18+
HEY PARENTS!
Be sure to check our our parent resources for Instagram, Snapchat, & YouTube.
Or, click here on all our articles on technology.
7. PewDiePie
- What You Need to Know: One of the most famous YouTubers to date, your kids are likely to hear about PewDiePie and his popular YouTube channel. Be warned as most of his videos contain swearing, bizarre content, and occasionally racist views.
- Number of Subscribers: 103 million
- Genre: Gaming
- Recommended Age: 18+
8. FilmCow
- What You Need to Know: The cartoon characters featured on this YouTube channel are likely to catch your child’s eye. The videos starring Charlie the Unicorn may even turn up in a well-intentioned search. However, these fun songs turn dark and violent, contain swearing, and glorify bad decisions.
- Number of Subscribers: 1.73 million
- Genre: Comedy
- Recommended Age: 18+
9. Shane
- What You Need to Know: Shane Dawson is an American YouTuber who began as a comedian and gained popularity for his controversial parodies. He has since moved primarily into vlogging. These videos contain mature content and language.
- Number of Subscribers: 23.2 million
- Genre: Vlog
- Recommended Age: 18+
Jessica Korzyniewski contributed to this article.
More Articles On Social Media & Technology for Parents
13 Mental Health Books & Resources a Child Therapist Recommends
**This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Mental health is gaining more and more attention, however, it still remains a topic that is often undermined or dismissed. As caregivers, it can feel...
Video Game Hygiene
On this episode of the Parent Matters Podcast, I sit down with Carly Schrimpl, a Child Therapist here at Kid Matters Counseling. We’re going to talk about home life, video game hygiene, and parenting in the 21st century. Discussed in this episode: What is video game...
5 Ways Social Media Affects Childhood Mental Health
Did you know that electronics and social media can have a significant impact on a child's mental health? In fact, it can be so powerful that it can affect their development and well-being. As parents and caregivers, it is important to be aware of the dangers that can...
5 Tips to Prepare Your Child For a Telehealth Therapy Session
Preparation is helpful for any child who is experiencing something new. Preparing for a telehealth therapy session looks a little different than preparing for an in-person therapy session. As telehealth is proving to be an effective option for child therapy, I want to...
3 Ways to Manage Screen Time in Your Home
As a society we are consumed with technology. In many ways, this is wonderful. But when it comes to parenting and technology where do we draw the line? On one hand, technology entertains, educates, and inspires our children. On the other hand, it is associated with...
3 Ways Social Media Is Affecting Your Mental Health During COVID-19
Social distancing requirements and quarantine protocols have many people spending more time alone than ever before. The desire to overcome that loneliness may have you turning to social media for emotional connection. While logging on to chat with friends can be a...
Don’t Parent Alone!
Sign up for our FREE Newsletter: “Parent Matters.”
Receive our best parenting advice right to your inbox. Our goal is to help parents raise safe and informed children.
New Clients Call: (855) 586-1802
Current Clients: (855) 543-7687
Ask Us Anything!
We help anxious kids and frustrated parents. We serve Hinsdale & the Western Suburbs of Chicago.
Made with ♥︎ in Hinsdale, Illinois for Chicago
Built By Brand Your Practice.
Kid Matters Counseling, P.C. DISCLAIMER: This website and blog are for informational, educational and general discussion purposes only. It is understood that no guarantee or warranty arises from the information provided, discussed or commented upon in this website and blog nor does it constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. Access to this website and blog is voluntary and at the sole risk of the user. If you think that you have a medical emergency (including clinical), call your doctor or 911 immediately. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. While the information contained within this website and blog is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided is correct, complete, and/or up-to-date. See our complete Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.