Anthonipilla Shijin

Being a YouTuber is now a natural aspiration for children not only in Kerala but around the world. There are various reasons for this, but mainly the advancement of the media world and the growing attraction of media among children have become the driving forces behind this dream. Children now have access to media—especially the internet, smartphones, and social media—which implants in their minds the desire to become part of it. For many, the most direct way is to become a YouTuber.

As the amount of Malayalam content on YouTube increases, it influences children to spend more time watching YouTube reels and videos, gradually shifting their mindset from being spectators to becoming creators. In a place like Kerala, where education is highly valued, the growing number of YouTube and social media creators is remarkable. According to reports by Statista, there are around 500 million internet users in India, and YouTube is the most-watched platform. Of these users, an estimated 70% to 80% are from Kerala.

The reasons why someone becomes a YouTuber are varied. Access to technology—especially smartphones—along with cheap and affordable internet and easy-to-use, free apps for creating and editing video content, have encouraged many to join the platform. The accessibility and appeal of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube strongly influence young minds.

Inspiration from existing YouTubers is another major source of motivation. As children are exposed to media—particularly YouTube—from a young age, often as a way for parents to manage their children in difficult moments, they sometimes become addicted to it. Through this exposure, many children are drawn to certain YouTubers and begin to view them as role models, aspiring to be like them.

Social media has also become a platform for expressing cultural heritage, opinions, and talents. As users seek attention, it becomes a stage for sharing small performances—local moments that, through social media, can reach a global audience.

These platforms are also initially introduced for educational purposes. Children often begin using social media with this goal, but gradually it becomes more about fun and entertainment due to the variety of content available. As a result, children increasingly use social media for enjoyment rather than education, slowly transitioning from viewers to content creators.

At first, children create content to showcase their talents and attract attention. Over time, the motivation often shifts toward fame and income, as current YouTubers portray it as a path to success. YouTubers gain recognition similar to that of celebrities and sometimes move into the film industry. As a result, many children dream of following the same path, and nowadays, even parents support this ambition.

Whether this trend is good or bad is a separate discussion, but the number of content creators in Kerala is growing, as is the number of viewers. Social media has become one of the biggest platforms for entertainment, fun, and the expression of talent.