Start a YouTube Channel as a Teen and Make Money Online

Main takeaways

🎥 Creating a YouTube channel is simple! All you need is a Google account and a clear idea of the type of content you want to make.

💰 You can make real money once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning from ads, sponsorships, and even merch.

📈 Success takes strategy: Growing your channel requires consistency, good video quality, and smart use of SEO to reach the right audience and keep them coming back.

Have you ever wondered how some people make a living by uploading videos to YouTube? Creating a YouTube channel and making money from it is easier than you might think—if you have the right strategy. But is creating a successful YouTube channel hard? And how do you start earning money? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

Why start a YouTube channel?

YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms for sharing content, whether you want to entertain, educate, or inspire. Many children’s YouTube channels have millions of subscribers, proving that kids and teens can also succeed in content creation. If you’re wondering how to create a private YouTube channel for children’s content, YouTube offers privacy settings that help parents monitor activity.

Teen holding his tablet whilewatching youtube

📝 Step-by-step guide to creating a YouTube channel

1. Sign up for a Google account

To create a YouTube channel, you need a Google account. If you already have one, simply go to YouTube Studio⁵ and create your channel.

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2. Choose your channel name and niche

Think about what kind of content you want to create. Will you focus on gaming, vlogs, educational videos, or children’s videos on YouTube? Having a niche makes it easier to attract an audience.

3. Customize your channel

Once your channel is created, customize it by:

Adding a profile picture and banner
Writing an engaging channel description
Creating a custom YouTube URL (once you reach 100 subscribers)

4. Upload your first video

Your first video sets the tone for your channel. Make sure it has:

Good lighting and sound
A clear topic and engaging storytelling
A strong call to action, like asking viewers to subscribe

5. Set up privacy settings

If you want to control who sees your content, you can create a private YouTube channel by adjusting your video settings to "Private" or "Unlisted."

Earn, spend and learn with Modak

💳 Modak provides teens with a Visa® debit card to help them learn financial responsibility.

🏅 Earn MBX points by completing fun activities, which can be converted into real money.

💸 Direct deposits & instant access: Teens receive direct deposits, giving them quick and easy access to their earnings.

🤓 How to make money from your YouTube channel

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program

To start earning money on YouTube, you need:

At least 1,000 subscribers
At least 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
To enable monetization in YouTube Studio

2. Earn through ad revenue

Once monetized, YouTube places ads on your videos, and you earn a share of the revenue based on the number of views and ad clicks. If you’re wondering will you make money on YouTube for old videos, the answer is yes! As long as your content continues to get views, you can earn from ad revenue over time.

3. Explore other monetization methods

Affiliate marketing – Promote products and earn commissions.
Sponsorships – Companies pay you to feature their products.
Merchandise – Sell branded items to your fans.
Super Chats & Memberships – Earn from donations and exclusive content.

🤔 How many views and subscribers do you need to make money?

How many views do you need to make money?

On average, YouTubers earn about $3 to $5 per 1,000 views from ad revenue. That means 200,000 views could bring in $600 to $1,000.

What does it take to make $1,000 a month on YouTube?

To earn $1,000 monthly from ads alone, you’d need about 300,000 to 500,000 views per month, depending on your niche and ad rates.

How many YouTube subscribers do I need to make $2,000 a month?

Subscribers don’t directly generate money, but a larger audience means more views. To make $2,000 per month, you’d need:

500,000+ monthly views
Engaged subscribers who watch and interact with your content

📈 Tips for growing your YouTube channel

Post consistently – At least one video per week.
Engage with viewers – Reply to comments and ask questions.
Improve video quality – Use good lighting and clear audio.
Use SEO techniques – Include keywords like how to create a YouTube channel in your video titles and descriptions.
Promote on social media – Share your videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Can you make money from old videos?

Yes! If your older videos continue to get views, they can still generate ad revenue. Many successful YouTubers make passive income from videos uploaded years ago. If you’re posting videos of 10-year-olds or content aimed at children, ensure compliance with YouTube’s child protection policies.

Children's YouTube channels: Is it safe for kids to create content?

Many children’s YouTube channels are incredibly successful, but parents should monitor their children’s activity online. If kids want to start a YouTube channel, consider:

Creating a private YouTube channel to limit public access.
Using YouTube Kids for safer content management.
Ensuring parental guidance when uploading videos.

🍎 How Modak helps kids learn and earn

At Modak, we believe kids and teens should learn financial responsibility while having fun. With the Modak app, kids can:

Earn MBX points through challenges and daily activities.
Convert MBX into real dollars² to spend with their Modak VISA® debit card¹.
Participate in 'Walk to Earn,' where reaching your daily step goals can earn you up to 70 MBX per week—equivalent to an extra $36.50 over the course of a year^2,3.

By combining financial education with engaging challenges, kids can develop responsible money habits while exploring ways to earn online.

Final thoughts

Creating a YouTube channel and making money from it takes time, dedication, and strategy. By following these steps, both kids and parents can start a successful channel while learning valuable financial skills. Whether you’re starting a children’s YouTube channel, wondering if creating a successful YouTube channel is hard, or looking to monetize old videos, the key is consistency and patience.

Want your child to learn financial responsibility in a fun way? Try Modak today and let them experience the power of earning and saving smartly!

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Deposit account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Legend Bank, N.A., FDIC-Insured. Funds deposited into a Deposit Account may be eligible for up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance.The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, visit: Click here for more information on MBX
Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of June 2024). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
Fees for expedited or premium services may apply. Find out more in our Cardholder agreement.

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How to create a YouTube channel and make money from it