Did you know there are a lot of ways that teens can make money from the comfort of their own home? The internet provides plenty of money-making opportunities for teenagers. While sometimes you have to spend money to make money, there are ways to earn money online as a teen with zero to minimal costs.
If teens are looking to start generating a regular income, check out these twenty-four ways teens can make money online.
How much money can teens make online?
There really is no limit to how much money can be made online. The more time and effort teens spend on their online money-making channel, the more money they will ultimately be able to make.
Teens can also choose to work more than one online job. This diversifies their income and gives them the ability to earn more.
How old do teens have to be to start making money online?
Official online jobs typically require you to be at least 18 years of age. However, teens don’t need to work a part-time or full-time online job to bring in the money. There are many ways teenagers can earn money online, regardless of their age.
Just be sure they double-check the terms and conditions of any company they sign up with to ensure they are eligible to start earning. Some may have an age limit, so that’s something that should be looked into.
Tips for kids looking for ways to make money online
Teens should consider how to stay safe online, avoid scams, and a few other key tips before diving into the world of online money-making, like:
- Keep parents in the loop. Many online money-making opportunities will require a guardian to help out. Teens may need to get a parent's help when setting up an online business, and it helps to keep them informed of any developments.
- Watch out for scams. While there are plenty of opportunities to make money online, there are also many scams. Remind kids to keep an eye out for any opportunity that asks for money upfront or seems too good to be true. They should run any decisions by a parent or trusted guardian before committing to a job.
- Be safe on the internet. Most kids know the basics about not giving personal information away online, but they should also look into ways to stay safe online as a business or entrepreneur. Consider setting up a separate email account, avoiding malware, and only sharing information with trusted sources when necessary.
- Use online jobs to prepare for their career. As they start looking for ways to make money online, consider how their idea can help them learn skills they’ll use down the road. Their online money project could be a great addition to their resume or set them up for success in their career.
- Set up PayPal or a bank account with parental help. They’ll need a place to receive money and manage their business' finances. Parents could consider setting up a PayPal account for easy payments (they will need you to open and manage this for them as you need to be 18 to open a Paypal account), and help kids set up their own bank account to start practicing money management.
- Consider any tax liabilities. Most teens haven’t yet paid taxes on their income, so it may be shocking to learn they’ll need to pay taxes, even if they are under 18. The IRS requires them to report their earnings, so ensure they’re prepared for tax season and paying taxes as required.
24 ways for teens to make money online
Whatever their age, there are plenty of great ways for teens to make money online. Let’s take a look at some of the things teenagers can do to earn their own income today.
1. Start a vlog (YouTube)
Vlogs are hugely popular and could help teens to earn a decent amount of money. However, it can take time to build up an audience and start generating income with this method.
There are a lot of different platforms that can be used, but YouTube is one of the best teens can take advantage of. It is easy to get started, and there are a lot of great in-depth guides you can follow. Teenagers will just need to choose what they want to vlog about and then start recording. Teens can vlog about practically anything, so make sure they choose something they are passionate about.
YouTube stars can earn a lot of money, though earnings are based on how many people subscribe and like their videos.
2. Stream video games (Twitch, YouTube)
If your teen loves video games, why not become a streamer and start earning money from their hobby? Platforms such as Twitch and YouTube allow people to stream their gaming sessions to an audience. The more people who subscribe, follow, and interact with them, the more they will earn. People can stream any game and there is the potential to become a well-known figure in the gaming industry.
3. Offer their digital skills as a service (Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour)
If your teen has digital skills, they can offer them as a service to earn money online. It could be they are skilled at web design, or they can create high-quality copy for businesses. These types of skills have the potential to earn your teen a good income, and they could transition into full-time freelancing once they have a good portfolio.
There are a lot of platforms people can use for this, including Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour. Make sure they pay attention to the terms and conditions of each platform before they join.
4. Manage social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest)
Businesses today rely heavily on social media to connect with and advertise to their audience. The trouble is that it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain social media platforms. Many businesses outsource their social media requirements. Teens could earn money by managing social media platforms for businesses in their local area. Look for freelance social media management jobs or reach out to businesses to see if they could use help with their platforms. This can be a good earner for those with a lot of social media experience.
5. Become an influencer (Instagram, Tik Tok)
Influencers can earn a lot of money through social media, and your teen could become one with the right know-how. They will need to develop a large following in order to be classed as an influencer. This means posting content that people love and want to follow. Encourage your teen to think about what type of influencer they want to be, such as a beauty or travel influencer. Then, they can start to work on building up a following on their chosen platform.
Once they have an audience, brands will pay to advertise their products. The amount teens can earn from these advertisements will depend upon how well known they become.
6. Complete online surveys (Swagbucks, YouGov)
While teens aren’t going to earn a huge amount of money with this option, it is still worth mentioning because of how quick and easy it is to get started. There are various sites online that allow teenagers to fill out surveys for cash. A couple of the best options are Swagbucks and YouGov. It will take time to build up extra cash with this method, and they will need to check how much they need to earn before they can withdraw their money.
7. Create an app and sell it
If your teen wants to earn a lot of money online, app development is one skill they’ll want to focus on. If your teenager can create an app and sell it, they could make a lot of money. While it helps to have coding experience, they don’t necessarily need it. There are ways to develop an app without any existing knowledge. This is one of the most lucrative ideas teens can follow to earn money online.
8. Online tutoring (Skype, Zoom)
Does your teen have any skills or talents they could share with others? Online tutoring is becoming extremely popular and it’s fairly easy to set up. They’ll just need access to video software such as Skype or Zoom. They can teach all kinds of things online, so encourage them to think about what they are passionate about and start there.
9. Review songs (Slice the Pie)
Getting paid to review songs may be one of the best ways for teens to make money online, especially if they love music. Check out sites like SliceThePie.com that pay people to review songs by different artists, commercials, and more. Teens as young as 13 can get paid for their reviews, and your quality of reviews determines pay over time.
10. Take pictures with their phone for money (Foap.com)
Companies need great pictures to market their products and build their businesses. Your teen can turn their camera roll of cool pictures into their next income project. Foap.com allows teens to make an online portfolio that brands and companies can look through to choose images they’ll pay to use. Teens investigating how to make money online under 18 will need a parent’s consent to sign up for a Foap account.
11. Sell stuff online (Ebay, Decluttr, Amazon Marketplace, Facebook Marketplace)
If you’re asking how to make money online under 18, entrepreneurship and selling stuff online is an excellent option for kids 13 and older. Your teen can use their arts and crafts skills to create products to sell. Thrifty kids can practice online business by selling old belongings through eBay, websites like decluttr, or an online marketplace like Amazon Marketplace (a marketplace incorporated into Amazon, but for third-party sellers) or Facebook Marketplace. Teenagers can pursue their own online business if they get serious about selling.
12. Data entry (FlexJobs)
Data entry can make a great first-time job for teens aged 18 and older. Data entry work is relatively easy and has few requirements to start. If your recent high school graduate has accurate typing skills and an internet connection, they can start with reputable companies like FlexJobs.
13. Review phone calls for quality control (Humanatic)
If your child is 17 or older, they can get paid online to listen in on recorded phone calls and answer questions about customer service quality. Humanatic is one of the companies behind the scenes of customer service, and they’ll pay teens to analyze calls and give honest feedback in return.
14. Customer service rep
Once your teen turns 16, they can work as a customer service representative earning a regular paycheck. While the pay may start as low as minimum wage, customer service jobs can be an educational entry into the workforce teaching valuable job skills.
15. Online proofreader (Proofread Anywhere)
Your teen can literally Proofread Anywhere, by becoming an online proofreader. Your up-and-coming writers can get experience in the field and practice their grammar skills. Teens must be 18 or older to use most proofreading job platforms.
16. Referral shopping program (Boostapal)
Brands want you to encourage your friends, family, and followers to visit their sites, and they’ll pay teens 17 and older for the referral. A referral shopping program like Boostapal can be a great way to earn extra money by supporting products or shopping for things you already like.
17. Blogging (WordPress, Bluehost)
Another opportunity for younger teens asking how to make money online under 18 is blogging. While it takes time to get a blog up and running, any teen can build an income from ads and affiliate marketing as their audience grows. Kids can start posting their work on public blog sites or develop their own. Two popular platforms for blogging are WordPress and Bluehost.
18. Website testing (UserTesting.com)
Tech-savvy teens can also make money online testing websites. Look for common website problems and even test mobile apps before and after they go live. Check out UserTesting.com to get started.
19. Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant job might be a good fit if your kid knows how to schedule appointments, handle emails, or type up documents. Virtual assistant job responsibilities vary widely, and so can the pay, but countless companies and professionals need VAs. Ask small businesses in your area or check reputable websites with job listings online.
20. Deliver Groceries/Food (Instacart, Doordash, Uber Eats)
Grocery delivery and food delivered right to your door are more common than ever. With countless companies offering delivery services, your teen can get paid to put their new license to use and work from their phone. Check which companies operate in your area and that your teenager meets any necessary requirements.
21. Podcasting
Do you have a radio personality living at home? It might be time to hand them a microphone and let them start their own podcast. Sponsors and ads can make podcasting a lucrative business, allowing kids to make money discussing topics they’re passionate about.
22. Become a voiceover actor (Voices.com)
Besides podcasting, kids who like talking and speak clearly can get paid to do voiceover recordings. You might hear a voiceover actor on TV, online videos, or on the radio. Voices.com can get your teen started on a voiceover actor job or side hustle.
23. Perform random tasks (Task Rabbit, MTurk)
Companies like MTurk, or Amazon Mechanical Turk, pay teens to complete simple online tasks for businesses. Work may not be that exciting or pay high wages, but teens can make some extra money on the side relatively easily. TaskRabbit and other sites allow teens to make money completing tasks for people in their local area. Some tasks, like data entry, may be online, while others may be in person.
24. Paid exercise (Sweatcoin)
Get your teen excited about exercising by getting paid for it. Companies like Sweatcoin will pay users to complete exercises or walk steps throughout the day. Users earn tokens, called sweatcoins, which can be redeemed for gift cards, product offers, or cash through Paypal. You can donate your sweatcoins to different charitable causes as well.
Get your teenager their own prepaid debit card with GoHenry
Before your teenager starts to earn money online, make sure they have a safe place to manage their money. A GoHenry teen debit card is an excellent choice for saving and budgeting money. Salaries can be paid directly into the account.
For just $4.99 each month, teens can use our prepaid card, app, and financial education tools. We even offer a 30-day free trial to help you decide if ours is the right service for you.
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