If you're a teenager then you've likely had your parents tell you to spend less time online, worried that you spend more time on the internet than out in the 'real world'.

But, when used well, the internet is the perfect place for entertainment, information - and of course, to make money. No matter how old you are or your level of experience, the internet is a true land of opportunity when it comes to money-making options and even if you’re not old enough to drive, it’s possible to make good money online.

So if you’re a teenager looking for a way to generate extra income or even take the first steps in what could develop into a full-fledged career like MrBeast and KSI have done, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading and discover great tips on how to make money online as a teenager.

How old do I have to be to start making money online?

While there are specific platforms, such as some stock photo and freelance hiring sites (which we’ll discuss later), that require their users to be at least 18 years old to receive orders and earn money, there’s no mandatory starting age to make money online.

Activities that can be monetized (aka profited from), such as streaming and content creation, can be done by people of all ages. But remember, you should also take into account your parents' opinion on the type of content, as well as other precautions involving payments and general legalities.

With good planning, dedication, and hard work, you can make a lot of money online, whether through content creation or even by running their own business.

Tips and precautions for teens who want to make money online

The internet offers many ways to generate income, but it also has many dangers. When dealing with any type of business that involves making money, you should be careful not to enter into any transaction where you're not completely sure how it works.

Here are some tips and precautions for teenagers who want to make money online:

Keep your parents informed about everything

Whether you’re selling digital art on marketplaces like Etsy or uploading your photo collection to Canva to earn commissions for use, there may be legal requirements that require a guardian to help you establish your brand as a legitimate business.

Starting your own business at a young age doesn’t mean you don’t need help. And oftentimes, a more experienced voice can help you out by offering advice in areas you’re not yet familiar with.

Be careful with scams and frauds

On the internet, scams are a constant danger that none of us are 100% safe from, regardless of age or experience. When dealing with anything related to money, it is important to check sources and stick to platforms that have already been proven to be safe.

Emails with ridiculously beneficial proposals, coming from unknown sources, should be treated with suspicion. This applies to anyone really, but teenagers should always seek help to avoid any incidence of scams.

Safeguard your personal information

In the digital age, it’s already certain that today's teenagers grew up connected to the internet. But there are still many cases of people sharing private information on the internet without any control. Data theft is also another reality, and you can be even more susceptible to this if you're operating a money making business on your own.

There needs to be control over the information shared. A good tip for this is to create an account separate from your personal accounts. A purely corporate presence online, from where you can run your business without fear of sharing personal information by mistake.

Keep an eye on any tax liabilities

Depending on your location, type of business, and income level, you may need to pay taxes on your online earnings. And the need to pay taxes may be something most teens don't know much about, especially those under 18.

If this is your case, the best option is to count on the help of a professional, whether it’s a tax specialist, accountant, or simply your parents. Having full knowledge and control over any potential taxes you may pay is essential to ensure that your business doesn’t face major problems in the future.

How to make money online as a teen

You don’t have to be a master entrepreneur to make money online. A good idea, a plan to put that idea into action, and the determination to keep trying are often all you need to start making money on your own.

But there are plenty of options. Whether you’re an artist, a skilled graphic designer, or someone who knows how to entertain people with quality content online, there are plenty of options out there to help you turn your skills into profits.

That been said, here are some great options for how to make money online as a teenager:

1. Becoming a streaming/content creator

youtube streamer

Ever thought about turning those late-night gaming sessions into a business? One of the most popular (and potentially most lucrative) ways for teens to make money is by becoming streamers. With the popularity of sites like YouTube and Twitch, more and more teenagers have started to dedicate themselves to a full-time "career" as streamers and content creators.

Take IShowSpeed for example, he went from playing NBA 2K in his room to becoming one of YouTube's biggest stars before he finished high school! Not to mention, he's worth around $10 million (at least, according to a 2024 interview).

Popular categories include the good ole' gaming stream, but several other segments are gaining popularity and becoming trends like as unboxing streams, cooking streams, watchalongs, traveling, and others.

This model relies heavily on raising donations in the form of superchats on YouTube, or "Bits" in the case of Twitch. Popular streamers, however, are able to expand their businesses beyond the streaming platforms and create true empires with their own brands, like how MrBeast created Feastables and Lunchly snacks.

It takes a lot of work and persistence, but YouTube is responsible for creating many young millionaires for a reason.

2. Blogging

squarespace

Blogging isn't dead! Just take Emma Chamberlain, who turned her relatable blog posts into a thriving coffee brand. A great great option for content creators, blogs have the advantage of being extremely adaptable to each user’s tastes (no pun intended).

You can create a blog about technology, music, travel, and whatever else. Blog builders like Wix and Squarespace even offer ready-made templates, so you don’t even need to have a lot of technical knowledge to create your own site.

And, as your followers grow, you can earn through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. While it takes time to build an audience, it’s a great way to develop a long-term source of income and even expand into developing your own brand and social media. Plus, if your blog doesn't take off, you'll have the skills to do freelance writing for other companies.

3. Affiliate marketing

You know how your favorite TikTokers drop a "link in bio" when their talking about their favorite skincare products or energy drinks? This is what affiliate marketing is.

Affiliate marketing is basically when influencers promote products online and then earn money for each sale made through that unique referral link. If you have a strong presence on social media (by being a streamer or a blogger for example), affiliate marketing is a great way to make money from your followers.

4. Create and sell handmade Items or crafts

etsy

Have you seen those "Get Ready With Me" Reels on Instagram where creators show off their crystal jewelry or custom anime prints? You could be the one making and selling that stuff!

If you enjoy making products in person, you easily have access to amazing platforms where you can sell your items and make some serious cash. Etsy, for instance, is the perfect marketplace to showcase and sell your handmade creations, 

Whether it’s custom jewelry, artwork, or crocheted goods. Selling handmade items online is a great way to make a profit. Just pay attention to fees and any other extra regulation selling websites might have. You can also sell by yourself building your own sales page, but it would require more effort.

5. Create and sell digital products

Whop

Are you good at Illustrator, Figma, or Canva? Well, you can make money that way too.

You can create templates and all sorts of digital art to sell on platforms like Whop, Etsy, or Gumroad, or on print-on-demand platforms like Redbubble.

If you’re a photographer, consider posting on sites like Shutterstock, or Adobe’s stock image site, where you can earn passive income from the use of your images. These are great options if you’re just starting out and want to build a solid portfolio.

6. Reselling online

depop

Trust me on this one, because this is actually how I got started. I bought and sold Jordan sneakers on eBay starting in sixth grade.

Reselling is a great option for anyone who wants to get their first taste of ecommerce because used items are cheap and can be sold for a lot depending on the category. Thrift stores, clearance racks, or garage sales are perfect places to find undervalued items you can sell, like vintage clothes, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and more, for a profit on platforms like eBay, Depop, or Mercari.

Peer-to-peer platforms are also perfect for reselling products, as they have an audience that is already interested in finding good prices on used items in good condition.

7. Online tutoring

superprof

If your classmates are begging you to write their papers or help them study for a test, then online tutoring is what you should try.

Platforms like Wyzant and TutorMe allow you to connect with students looking for help in math, science, music, learning a foreign language, or even test prep. To keep more of your own money then use a platform like Whop. With Whop you create your own whop which is a hub from which you can sell your online services, like ebooks, courses, video calls and worksheets.

If you’re good enough, online tutoring can be a great source of income.

8. Dropshipping

dropshipping

If you know the names Jordan Welch, Luke Belmar, or Jordan Bown, then chances are you know what dropshipping is.

You can start your own online store using Shopify to sell anything from clothing to other types of products. The best part about dropshipping is that you don’t need to hold product inventory, when a customer places an order, your store forwards the order and payment to a supplier, who then ships the product directly to the customer.

It’s a relatively cheaper model than starting, say, a clothing brand because it cuts costs with inventory and even shipping, in addition to being a low-risk way to dive into ecommerce, but it still requires planning and knowledge about digital marketing, so it is advisable that it's done under the supervision of someone more experienced.

Whop is home to hundreds of communities and courses that can teach you everything you need to know about dropshipping.

9. Freelancing

upwork

Imagine this: You're designing thumbnails for MrBeast or editing gaming montages for the FaZe Clan all from the comfort of your own home.

Freelancing is a great way to turn your skills into actual income and can be done by anyone at any place. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork have become insanely popular for offering a space where users can take on short services in exchange for an money, all quickly and safely. These jobs, of course, are entirely online and can be anything such as writing, graphic design, video editing, and even voiceovers.

Whether you’re a budding artist, a tech wizard, or someone who loves organizing tasks, freelancing lets you monetize your talents.

One thing to consider, however, is that users under 18 can only use these platforms with permission from parents or guardians with active accounts. Even so, it’s a great option if you want to create a portfolio from an early age.

10. Virtual assistant jobs

netflix VA

Even though there are flashier, perhaps more exciting ways to make money online, you don't have to have millions of followers like Addisson Rae to make a dollar.

The business world is hectic, and many companies simply don’t have the time or resources to spend on smaller—but still very important—tasks like answering emails, scheduling meetings, or ordering inventory. To that end, smaller companies are increasingly hiring virtual assistants to perform these tasks.

This is a great option if you're looking for a first job that is flexible, relatively simple, and doesn’t interfere with your studies, since the basis of being a virtual assistant is doing everything online.

11. App and website testing

testio

Since you already spend most of your time visiting websites and using apps nowadays, you might as well make some money from it right? 

Jokes aside, the fact is that it's common for companies to pay for feedback on their new websites or apps to improve user experience. And platforms like UserTesting basically let you earn money by testing out these digital products and sharing your thoughts. 

You don’t need experience or any advanced knowledge. If you’re a tech-savvy teen all you need is a device and internet connection to get started as a website tester.

12. Manage social media

llc clipflow

Brands today are always hiring people to manage their social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn. Whether they’re business accounts or just to increase engagement with the public, the work usually consists of making posts and interacting with followers by answering questions on comments.

This is a relatively simple job that benefits teenagers due to its flexibility and the possibility of making money through social media. Or, you can join one of the bounty programs on Whop. For instance, LLC ClipFlow is paying people sums of money to make clips and post them on social media.

Want to learn more about how to make money online? Whop has everything you need

When it comes to ecommerce, no amount of knowledge is too much. And with Whop, you can have access to all the knowledge possible about how to make money online.

Our platform brings together hundreds of experts and entrepreneurs who, just like you, have worked hard to make their first dollar online and today earn five or six figures every month. We have already helped some people reach seven figures and you can be one of them too.

All you need to do is access Whop and choose the best course or community for you. There are hundreds of online courses, guides, and paid communities on all kinds of subjects, from dropshipping to affiliate marketing, all to help you achieve all your goals.

When you're ready to launch your own business you can do almost anything digital with Whop. Whether you want to sell digital downloads, charge for access to gaming streams, tutor students online, create a paid membership community, sell digital study guides - or anything else digital - you can do it with Whop.


How to make money online as a teen FAQs

The frequently asked questions about how to make money online as a teen.

How old do I have to be to start making money online?

While there are specific platforms that require their users to be at least 18 years old to receive orders and earn money, there’s no mandatory starting age to make money online.

How much money can teens make online?

As with most people at any age, the amount of money a teenager can make online will depend on the type of work they do, the platform they work on, and their own efforts. So there’s no hard and fast limit for how much you can make.