Social Media Isn’t All Fun and Games - How Some Teens are Cashing in on Social Networking Sites

by Olivia Collins

Social networking may seem like simply an outlet for fun and games, but all of that is changing. Social networking can also be used to find jobs, and let’s be honest here, if there’s one thing teenagers want, it’s money. 

There will always be the stereotypical teen who prefers to just sit on his butt all day and mooch off his parents, but the majority of us are go-getters and always looking for new opportunities. Where should we be looking? 

A great outlet for teens looking for jobs is Care.com. I may be a bit biased because it is how I got my nanny job, but it really is a great networking site for teens looking to pick up some extra cash. The website is used by all types of families ranging from those looking for a date night sitter, to families looking for someone available to watch their children daily. The website also provides numerous safety tips involved with meeting up with prospective families, which makes users feel secure.

Another online outlet that can be used for finding jobs is Craigslist, believe it or not. Craigslist may seem like a shady site where serial killers find prostitutes at first glance, but it can be a real asset during a job hunt, which more and more teens are figuring out. I actually found out about Craigslist’s job opportunities through a friend who had found her job on there. My first job aside from being a nanny was a restaurant job I found on Craigslist.

There are definitely some shady posts, but if you’re willing to weed through them, Craigslist can be an easy way to find a job and get some cash. Just use common sense and don’t meet up with anyone you don’t know unless there is a legitimate business location you can verify elsewhere online.

An uncommon way that teenagers can make money is simply being popular on social media. If a teenager is popular enough, usually on Instagram, clothing lines and other companies will literally send them free merchandise or money to promote their products. Instagram star Acacia Clark is a perfect example of this. Numerous clothing lines have reached out to her in order to advertise to her 2 million plus followers. This is rare for most teens, however it can work for someone extremely committed to being popular who knows the ins and outs of social media.

So, next time you see your teen on social media, don’t just assume they’re looking at Twitter or Facebook. They may be on their way to making some serious money.

How are you teens out there using social media to find job opportunities? If you have a tip not shared here, let me know!



IMAGE CREDIT: INGO BERNHARDT