7 Ways The Internet Has Created More Child Stars Than Ever

Are the kids all right?

Before the modern Internet and social media era, child stars were the kids we saw on America's Funniest Home Videos, or in some of our most beloved movies, like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone, or Corey Feldman in The Goonies. Michael Jackson was a star before the age of 10 thanks to the Jackson 5. Yet, these kids were always few and far between, and they truly had to be outliers to stand out from other adult stars, let alone other children.

Fast forward to today: social media and the Internet is ruled by viral content—it's a digital gold mine. People now, more than ever, are looking out for the next child star, whether it be a kid they catch being funny or doing something "cute," which will pull on everyone's heartstrings and get thousands of likes/revines/retweets/shares or anything, as long as it's attention. It's a machine, and the Internet is only greasing the wheels. Here are 7 Ways The Internet Has Created More Child Stars Than Ever.

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We have an intense desire to become a celebrity, and 97 million views doesn't hurt.

Viral culture.

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Our need to share with the world, not just our families and friends.

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This goes for the people behind the camera—if the kid they're shooting gets famous, the parents (or recorder) could get in on the interviews and TV appearances if the video goes viral, especially if they post it to their YouTube channel or account, making them famous by association. 

Cover songs. They're too easy to make and kids almost always make them cute.

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Access to YouTube and other social media is as easy as playing tetherball.

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The rise of Vine.

Children don't realize what the Internet is, or the consequences of it in the future.

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