Social media is changing how kids dream

New research shows students from Norway to Wisconsin
now choose their future jobs using social media.
Over 60% of students surveyed between 2021 and 2024
want to be influencers or picked a career online.
This happens because students watch TikTok or YouTube every day.
They learn about work from social media personalities.
However, school career surveys usually suggest traditional jobs
like an electrician or an accountant instead.
These surveys often use programs created before social media.
One 17-year-old student in Wisconsin said that
these school tests are a "waste of time."
Many kids want to be famous and think that
influencers make a lot of money.
But the reality is very different for these creators,
because nearly half of them earn less than 15,000 dollars.
This means many young people dream of a job
that does not pay well for most people.
Experts say schools should update their advice so that
students can understand the modern world.

Quiz 🧠

Q1. Most online influencers earn a lot of money.
①True
②False
Show answer

✅ False

Most online creators actually earn very little money, often less than 15,000 dollars a year.

Q2. What does 'traditional' mean in 'traditional jobs'?
①classic and usual
②very modern
③dangerous
④unpopular
Show answer

✅ classic and usual

Traditional means following ideas, customs, or job types that have existed for a long time.

Q3. Why should schools update their career tests for students today?
①To match modern jobs
②To stop online videos
③To make tests harder
④To save paper
Show answer

✅ To match modern jobs

Students learn about work online now, so schools need advice that fits today's digital world.

Dialogue 🎧

James: Charlotte, I saw a drawing by a second grader that actually surprised me.
Charlotte: Was it a monster? Or maybe the YouTube logo?
James: It was the logo! A child in Norway drew it because they want to be famous.
Charlotte: It is not just Norway. Researchers found that kids in Wisconsin want the same thing.
James: Really? I thought kids still wanted to be astronauts or professional athletes.
Charlotte: A study surveyed students between 2021 and 2024. Over 60% chose careers based on social media.
James: That is a huge number! My social media feed is just for watching cat videos.
Charlotte: They watch TikTok and YouTube every day. They learn about different jobs from online personalities.
James: But don't schools help them? I remember taking those career surveys in high school.
Charlotte: One 17-year-old student in Wisconsin said those tests are just a "waste of time."
James: Ouch. Why are the school tests so unhelpful for them?
Charlotte: They suggest traditional jobs like an electrician or an accountant. Many programs were made before social media.
James: Right, my old school survey told me to be a librarian. I hate sitting still!
Charlotte: Exactly. There is a big disconnect between school advice and the modern world kids live in.
James: But being an influencer sounds like a dream job with easy money.
Charlotte: The reality is very different. Nearly half of all content creators earn less than 15,000 dollars.
James: That is much lower than I expected. Most of them won't even make a living.
Charlotte: Experts say schools must update their advice. Students need to understand how the modern world works.
James: I agree. It is good to have big dreams, but kids need the full picture.
Charlotte: Definitely. We need to bridge the gap between a TikTok video and a real career.

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