CHILD'S PAY
My son earns six figures as a ‘child influencer’ on YouTube – he doesn’t go to school and he’s saving to buy a shop
THE MUM of a child influencer has defended not sending her son to school as he makes six figures at the age of only 13.
Leah McQueen's 13-year-old son Omari makes money from his cooking Youtube channel while he is homeschooled online.
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The mum appeared on Good Morning Britain today to defend Omari's job which he insists is "something I want to do".
But author Gifty Enright compared the work of young social media influencers to child labour on the show.
Omari's Youtube channel, , that has 9.31K subscribers specialises in vegan recipes and the benefits of cooking with healthy ingredients.
He is the youngest award winning vegan chef in the UK and even runs his own range of vegan dips, .
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The teen learned to read from cookbooks but attends an online private school from home.
His says he has lots of hobbies, including basketball and drawing.
Susanna Reid asked his mum Leah how much Omari makes on Good Morning Britain today.
The mum paused for a while then said: “Um... enough.”
Richard Madeley said: “It's six figures isn't it? Well into six figures?”
Leah didn’t answer the question directly but denied Omari runs his Youtube for the money.
She said: “No. Omari is a vegan chef - he wants to bring people together through food without harming animals.
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“By him cooking vegan meals and showing people what he can do, he's been given so many opportunities - he met Gordon Ramsay and was part of that show, he was able to go to Sweden at the palace and speak about dyslexia, which he's passionate about.”
“He's not interested in getting pretty things, he's saving to open up a vegan chicken and chip shop.”
Author Gifty Enright was also on the programme arguing against the exploitation of child influencers.
She said: “If Omari had a passion for coal mining, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
“This is child labour dressed any other way you want it.
“When there are children out there expending their effort, we have to make sure they're protected.
“Not every parent is like Leah, who is grounded and able to guide the child.
"When a child is in his bedroom churning out content - we're talking about the wild west of the internet here."
She said kids are working long hours and do not always have access to the money they're making or their money is not being looked after for them.
Leah said: “Omari didn't start Youtube because we wanted him to - my eldest son wants to be a producer, and he said 'You're really good at cooking, can I film you'?”
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Other kid influencers have made millions from social media and even get sent £25,000 in freebies.
Influencers as young as toddlers and babies have gathered followings and popularity by posting photos online.
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