Online Employment Opportunities For Teenagers

By

Madison DuPaix

Updated on 11/20/19

Online jobs for teenagers can be a source of income for those who want to earn some money. If you're 14 years old or more, looking for a few bucks or want to begin saving for college, there are alternatives to mowing your neighbor's lawn or working at your local fast-food chains. If you are of legal age to work, you might be able to find some opportunities online.

Be sure to discuss your plans to work online with your parents, teachers or a mentor. There are plenty of legitimate ways to earn money online, but there are people who try to take advantage of inexperienced young adults. Work with your mentor or parents to research companies before giving out personal information or entering into any work agreements.

Check your state and local regulations for working as a minor as well. There are varying regulations for each along with federal laws to comply with.

Artists

Kid drawing a summer landscape with a forest lake — Dmitry Naumov / Getty Images

Younger people are known to have better imaginations, and many are interested in art. Sites like Etsy offer an opportunity to make money as an artist. You can try to sell your art—whether it's drawings, paintings or homemade earrings. If you can make it, you can sell it on Etsy.

Humorous Videos/Vines

Teens Vlogging — Caiaimage / Tom Merton / Getty Images

Popular video hosting sites let people generate ad revenue, which means that if you let businesses put ads on your video you'll be paid for it—however, you generally need to have a certain amount of subscribers to be noticed.

Watching six-second videos is a popular past-time for many teens. If you are hanging out with your friends having a good time and laughing, you may be able to share six seconds of it with others and make them laugh also (and possibly make money doing).

Become a Cartoonist

Cartoonist doing a portrait in pencil to a girl on Times Square — J2R / Getty Images

In your parent's day, the only way to make a living drawing comics was to get your comics into the newspaper or work for DC and Marvel.

The internet allows you to draw and upload your comics, start your own site to host them and charge people to read or buy them.

Comics are still popular, and there is always a need for new super-heroes, villains, or interesting content. Many cartoonists and comic writers have had their work picked up and turned into movies or television shows.

Start a Blog/Vlog

Young adult woman vlogging about cosmetics, skin care products. — fstop123 / Getty Images

You could start a blog or a vlog (video blog), and sell some ad space on it to earn some income. What you write about or do is up to you.

You could write fiction, a journal of your day, or give a young person's perspective on the world or national issues that interest you.

Vlogging is very popular with younger people because it allows them to see what other teens are up to. It also allows them to express themselves in the way they want, with who they want.

Product Reviewing/Influencing

Businesses have realized the marketing potential of young people. If you are already creating videos and have a decent following, you may be able to receive products from your favorite product lines to do reviews on.

If you are a gamer and can talk about video games, do reviews of all the games you can. If you like movies, review them. Anything you can talk about and attach ads to can help you earn money.

Be constructive in your reviews, stating what is good or not so good and why. The reasons you like a product may be reasons someone else does not like it. Give your viewers enough information to make their own choices, and you might land a few sponsorships and become an influencer.

Online Survey Work

Woman Sitting in a Cafe Using a Tablet Computer — Alys Tomlinson / Getty Images

There are many survey sites out there that will pay you in credit, coupons or gift cards for filling them out. Some of these require that you be 18 years or older to do the surveys, but there are some looking for the perspective of people than 18.

eSporting

Image of a Woman Playing a Video Game, One Way to Win with PCH — Jedrzej Kaminski / EyeEm / Getty Images

Video games aren't just a fun hobby—they can also be a way to make money. If you are really good at a video game, there are possibilities to earn money in esports tournaments.

Join some gaming communities, and look for competitive gaming events in your area. If you are good enough you might be picked up by a scout. If not, you could still be good enough to make money in smaller tournaments or events.