Exploitation of Popularity

By now, I'm sure everyone is familiar with the whole Sam Pepper fiasco and how he purposely took advantage of his fans, but not many people know that this happens all-over youtube, and it's not easily stopped.

Seeing as the community of Youtube mostly consists of easily influenced young teens (Ages 11-17) it's not exactly hard to see how this can lead to exploitation, but what is shockingly disgusting is how some youtubers can use their position of popularity and fame to influence their viewers into doing degrading things. It doesn't only occur with hugely popular youtubers either, even small channels with under 50,00 subscribers partake in such vile things (The youtube channel Eddplant comes to mind here)

Now, although the youtube community is actually really great, welcoming and mostly friendly (aside from the trolls) it is definitely home to many predators who constantly abuse any amount of success they receive. This causes controversy between why they are allowed back into the community with 'open arms' when infact they actually aren't, it's just the fact that we have no power over their channel and can't actually force them to close it

Long story short, yes, people can easily influence people for the worst on youtube, but it can also happen anywhere else on the internet, and to be blunt, no, the youtube community does not condone these acts.

Youtube Channel

Before you start expecting something I usually post, this is just a little life update! I have recently made a youtube channel to coincide with the blog ( I don't expect the channel to go anywhere )
So far, I only plan on making 'How to' videos which will mostly be software based.

My most recent video is 'How to make thumbnails' which is basically just me making and editing a thumbnail very fast. Although it doesn't sound like much, there are quite a few youtubers who use the same method ( I originally found the website through watching a youtubers video)

If you feel like it, check out my channel and maybe subscribe!

All Around The World (Kind of)

So I just wanted to write A short post about something very exciting which will be happening pretty soon. I've known about this 'Exciting thing' for a while now, but I just never really thought it was something I should post about, but things change I guess. Basically, I'm going on a trip around Europe with my school to countries such as Germany, France and Poland. We plan on spending a few days in each country (2 or 3) so we can get through as many as we can while not being away from school for too long.

Of course I plan on taking PLENTY of pictures (This is one of the reasons why I bought my new camera too) and I hope to make another post about the whole experience and also include all of the pictures I took.

Sorry this post is so short, I basically just wanted to do a quick summary instead of a full-out detailed description. If any of you live in Europe comment below what Countries you live in and recommend something that my class can do while we are in your country!

The World of Youtube

If you are aged 12-19, chances are that you already know about Youtube and how great it is! So I thought I would make a post talking about the Youtube Community and who the major 'Youtubers' are at the moment.

Video blogging (or vlogging) is the new popular thing at the moment on youtube, and is one of the main things that attracts the audience most of them have. Not only does it gain them dedicated fans, but it earns them money from things such as channel/video views, advertisements and product reviews. Now, this money isn't enough to make them millionaires but it is 'enough the pay the bills' and send them to popular events such as Vidcon and Playlist Live. Most popular youtubers can also be very positive role-models and do not consider themselves celebrities but plainly normal people who make videos.

Zoe 'Zoella' Sugg

First of all, we have Zoe Sugg (Zoella) who's Fashion, Lifestyle and Beauty blog expanded into a Youtube Channel in 2009. Since then, Zoe has accumulated 6 million subscribers on Youtube, and Millions of Subscribers on Twitter and Instagram. She is the headlining face of Gleam Management, which also manages popular youtubers such as Tanya Burr and Caspar Lee.

She accumulates 26m views on her Youtube channel each month and 8m views on her blog a month. Her youtube channel has been on the rise since late 2012/early 2013 where she gained millions of subscribers over a few months. As described by Gleam, 'Zoe's cute and quirky personality makes her shopping hauls and beauty recommendations easy to watch' however she has now branched out to doing other types of videos, such as collabs with other youtubers featuring dares and games, and she also has her own Vlog channel 'Morezoella'

Marcus 'Helloooo!' Butler

Marcus Butler is also another example of a popular Youtuber (who is also a very good role-model to his fans). He is managed by Gleam, like Zoella, and started his Youtube channel in 2010 after creating music remixes in College. His main youtube channel currently has 3m subscribers with 22m views a month. He also has over 2m subscribers on Twitter and Instagram and his Blog attracts 250k views a month. His vlog channel is also a clear audience attracter, which features his girlfriend (and newly found youtuber) Niomi Smart.

Marcus focuses on posting random videos on his main channel and daily vlogs on his second channel, and he is now working on his own Gaming channel. In 2013 he was also part of a youthbe channel named "Guiness World Records OMG!" in which he attempted to beat World records with other youtubers such as Alfie Deyes.

These people are the personalities of the present and the future, thanks to youtube.