Should I start a YouTube channel for my kids to create their own videos?

This is something I’ve been contemplating a lot lately.

My oldest daughter, who is eight years old, sees me creating videos for my own blog and youtube channel, and she started to show interest in what I’m doing. So I kind of poked around to see what she would think about being in a video on my channel, and we watched some videos on other channels like Hallecake. The more we talked about it, the more planning she started to do for her own channel.

So… now I have to make up my own mind as to whether I’m cool with my kids having a YouTube channel or not.

I talked about it a little in my Tuesday Vlog.

Some of my hangups are:

Is it too much of a time investment? I mean… I’m trying to grow my own channel, plus I have a full time job so I don’t want to overextend myself any more than I already am.

Is it safe? Is anything we have our kids doing really safe though? Creating videos in our own home doing what we choose to do seems safer than letting your kids get on a school bus with no seat belts, driven by a complete stranger, doesn’t it? I believe Kids on YouTube seems scary because it’s new, and it’s unconventional.

Is it setting them up to be picked on, mocked, or bullied? Anytime you put yourself on a platform – whether you’re an adult or a kid – you’re going to be criticized. There is no way of avoiding that in life except to never do anything, at all, ever. But when an adult decides to start a YouTube channel or a blog (hello!) they unofficially give consent to be criticized. My kids don’t understand that concept, and probably won’t for some time.

I actually emailed Hallecake‘s mom to ask her some questions on the subject, and I got a lot of really great information–and encouragement.

So I am leaning towards a channel for my kids. But I would love some input! Can you leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, your opinions, your insight? I’d really appreciate it!