We live in a day and age where technology rules all. Teenagers flock to social media to find out the daily “tea”, and what’s new and upcoming in our lives. Although social media is a relatively new aspect of our society, it is rapidly changing the world we live in. It is in using such technology, that many teenagers have gained popularity, contributing to new job opportunities.

Simply by posting your thoughts, or “outfit of the day” you could qualify as a social media influencer. Influencers are responsible for many things. They entertain the masses, whether it be with comedy, advice, or just sheer relatability.

By developing an audience, they may gain the attention of companies, seeking new ways to market their product via social media. Tell me you haven’t seen your favorite celebrity wearing something, and have wanted it yourself. Most people can’t.

The thing about teenage influencers, is that by simply being a “regular teenager” themselves, you feel connected in a way. Almost as if, they could be your friend. This “friendship” is what makes teenage influencers successful.

By being a part of their target demographic, they have the mental advantage over other advertisers. They recommend things in a way your best friend would, excited and without the push salesman pitch.

While there are many examples of key figures in this field, I’ll give you three perspectives:

Conan Gray

Conan Gray is an eighteen year-old currently attending UCLA. Originating from Texas, Gray moved to LA to pursue a career in entertainment. He started his YouTube channel in his freshman year, slowly growing to his 800,000 thousand follower fan-base today.

His channel mostly focuses on music covers, advice, his daily life, and occasionally, art. Conan’s social media career truly began upon the release of his single, “Idle Town”. Now with 9.7 million views, the song explains his life in a small town and the memories he’s made with his friends.

While the song can easily be interpreted as an explanation of all the things he loves, it is much more. In his recent “studio vlog” he’s goes more into depth on what it truly means to him. Gray reveals that the song was almost a “goodbye to everything that [he] knew, and everything that  [he] loved”, as it was written during a tough time where he really only had “[his] friends and [his] YouTube channel.”

What started as a form of self-expression skyrocketed his life into a career of social reverence. His fan-base is what has allowed him to pursue music, and create his highly anticipated EP. His success is a prime example of how recognition on social media platforms can change lives.

It is through expressing his highs, and equally lows, that he is able to connect with like-minded teens across the world.

Antonio Garza

Antonio Garza is easily one of the fastest growing creators to reach YouTube. In only 3 months of frequent posting, she has amassed 1.3 million subscribers. This is quite impressive for any person, but the achievement is magnified by the fact that she is only a sophomore in high school.

Also from Texas, Antonio mainly focuses her content on school vlogs and makeup tutorials. Yet what sets her apart from the common “YouTube Beauty Guru” is not only her self-deprecating humor, but style of editing.

Her videos may come off as “poorly edited” compared to other successful makeup artists on YouTube, but it is apparent that she puts both time and effort into entertaining her growing audience. It is this unique style of tutorials that has granted her attention from her viewers, and other famous makeup artists on social media.

Her name has been mentioned in videos, regarding her editing style, and many popular creators have followed her on other social media platforms. This is where Garza has immense potential to use YouTube as a business. Makeup companies are constantly collaborating with influencers to create and promote new beauty products.

With Antonio’s recent success, there is no doubt she has appeared on these companies’ radar. Collaborating and being a brand ambassador also could give Garza an advantage if she chooses to create her own brand, as her name will already be known among the beauty community. Nonetheless, Antonio Garza will definitely be a name to listen out for in the future.

Tanner Fox

Tanner Fox is the most accomplished YouTube star out of the three mentioned. At only 18 years old, Tanner makes his hometown of San Diego proud, with a following of over 8,000,000 subscribers.

He started his channel seven years ago, but it’s growth proliferated upon reaching 100,000 subscribers two years ago. His YouTube content includes vlogs (video blogs) based on stunts, sports, and general noteworthy events in his life. Some of which include, water sliding into dry ice, sliding down mouse traps, and completing the dangerous dares his fans request. YouTube has without a doubt, changed Tanner’s life.

He has launched a self-titled brand that allows his fans to buy anything from clothes to school supplies with his logo. Not only does Fox give back by providing merchandise for his fans, he has been able to donate generous amounts to people in need.

He recently donated $75,000 to The Thirst Project, and traveled to Swaziland to build 6 clean water wells. Fox also, bought a house for his e-sports team, Space Station Gaming, as he believes he can “change the game for a lot of people [and] change a lot of people’s lives.”

In Tanner Fox’s case being an influencer has not only helped him, but allowed him to help others, all in the beginning stages of life.

The world is moving at a quick pace. We are accomplishing things faster than we have ever before. People are now being given the opportunity to secure their future at a much younger age, and in untraditional ways. With our smartphones in hand, mediocre editing skills, and incredibly crude humor, teenagers are making our way through this world, one post at a time.