These days, there are plenty of online jobs for teens that offer ways to earn some extra cash in their spare time. These opportunities range from simple tasks like data entry and working as a virtual assistant to more independent roles like affiliate marketing and dropshipping. And most of the time, all you need to get started is an internet connection and basic equipment like a smartphone or laptop.
In this article, we'll explore the benefits of starting an online side job as a teen. We’ll also introduce a variety of online jobs that not only help you earn money but also teach valuable skills such as time management, multitasking, and discipline, setting you up for financial independence early on.
Side hustles for teens offer many benefits that exceed the financial gain. Let’s explore these benefits.
Starting an online hustle often requires perseverance, and teenagers who engage in these activities learn to push through failures and setbacks. This resilience helps nurture a strong work ethic that lays the foundation for future professional and personal success.
In the sections below, we’ll explore some of the best side hustle ideas for teens.
Most teenagers often spend around 4.8 hours a day on social media. Why not make this time productive as well? Starting a social media side hustle could be a great way to earn some extra income while still enjoying your online activities.
Freelance writing is one of the best online jobs for teens who enjoy creating content. It involves writing articles, blog posts, and social media updates for various platforms. Check out sites like Fiverr, Upwork, or specific teen blogging websites. You'll need good writing, research, and communication skills to succeed in this role.
Starting a YouTube channel is a great online job for teens, offering a fun platform to share what you love, be it gaming, fashion, or DIY projects, much like popular YouTuber MrBeast, who turned his passion into a highly successful channel.
However, creating videos that captivate and engage an audience requires high-quality content and interaction with viewers. If you're aiming to monetize your channel, understanding how ads and sponsorships work is crucial. Additionally, skills in video editing and channel management are important to succeed in this home-based online job for teens.
Social media management is another great online job for teens. In this role, you help businesses boost their online presence by creating posts, scheduling them, and engaging with followers. It's one of the easy side hustles for teens who are already good at using platforms like Instagram and TikTok. You can find these jobs for teenagers online through marketplaces or by reaching out to local businesses.
Virtual assistants (VAs) handle a range of tasks like managing emails, organizing schedules, and other administrative duties. Teens looking to be virtual assistants can prepare themselves for the job by practicing organization, good communication, and time management.
You can explore platforms like Fiverr and Upwork to find virtual assistant gigs. There's also the potential to specialize as a social media or email marketing VA.
Teenagers who are successful as virtual assistants might consider pursuing a degree in Business Administration or a related field. This could lead to a full-time career as an administrative professional or office manager, where skills in organization and communication are highly valued.
Online teaching and tutoring open up fantastic opportunities for teens to share their knowledge with younger students across a range of subjects, including academic fields and languages. Platforms like online tutoring companies and educational websites are pivotal in connecting teen tutors with students who need help.
Success in this role requires a solid understanding of the subject matter, strong communication skills to convey information clearly, and patience to deal with different learning speeds and styles.
Beyond one-on-one tutoring, ambitious teens have the option to broaden their impact by creating online courses or educational content. This can be a creative way to compile and share knowledge, making learning accessible to a wider audience. Creating these resources not only reinforces the tutor's own understanding but can also serve as a steady source of income if the courses are offered for sale.
For teens passionate about education, this path not only offers immediate job opportunities but can also lay the groundwork for future careers in education and related fields.
Podcasting is a vibrant avenue for teens to express their thoughts and share their passions, making it a popular choice for young people looking to make an impact—and potentially earn money—online. Many successful teen podcasts already grace the airwaves, covering a wide range of topics from mental health and personal development to pop culture and social issues.
For instance, "Teenager Therapy" is a podcast run by five high school friends from California. They delve into the challenges teenagers face today, offering a raw and relatable perspective that has captured a large audience.
These examples show that teens are not only capable of creating engaging content but can also carve out a niche for themselves in the bustling world of podcasting.
Selling products online through platforms like Etsy or Shopify is an excellent way for teens to earn. You can sell handmade crafts, digital art, or vintage clothing. Steps include setting up an online store, marketing, and managing customer service.
Dropshipping is also a viable option, allowing teens to sell products without needing inventory, making it one of the best side hustles for teens.
Data entry jobs involve putting information into spreadsheets and organizing databases. To do well, you need to be accurate and type quickly.
Online transcription tasks mean turning audio recordings into written text. It's a good option for teens who are good at listening and paying attention to detail.
Platforms like freelance websites offer these types of jobs, making them available as online opportunities for teens. These sites let you work from home and choose projects that match your skills and interests, giving you flexibility and the chance to earn some extra money.
Social media content moderators play a crucial role in ensuring that the content posted on platforms follows the rules and guidelines. They are responsible for removing any inappropriate material that violates these standards. This job demands good judgment, paying close attention to details, and the ability to handle sensitive content with care.
Many large social media companies often hire third-party firms to handle content moderation. This opens up opportunities for online jobs, even for teens. These roles allow individuals to work remotely and contribute to keeping online communities safe and friendly.
Teens can offer services like editing podcasts, creating sound effects, or music production to busy content creators and celebrities. Platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork are good places to find freelance audio editing work. But you’ll need access to good audio editing software to get started.
Some popular audio editing software options include Audacity, Adobe Audition, GarageBand (for Mac users), and FL Studio. These programs offer a range of features suitable for beginners and professionals alike, making them ideal choices for teens looking to dive into the world of audio editing and sound design.
Website and app testing is basically trying out a website or an app and providing feedback on its usability and functionality. Platforms like UserTesting, Enroll, and Test.io connect testers with companies that need user feedback. Clear communication skills and the ability to offer constructive feedback are important in this role.
This side hustle can also be a stepping stone for a career as a software developer, quality assurance analyst, or UX/UI designer, where they can influence the development of new software solutions.
Data annotation means labeling data like images or texts to help train AI systems. Even though it's a newer opportunity, this side gig can be quite profitable, and there's not much competition for it. Tasks in data annotation include things like image labeling and sentiment analysis.
Platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Lionbridge, and Labelbox offer these types of jobs, making it a good option for teens who are into technology and looking for online work.
Teens who are skilled at data annotation might consider studying fields like Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or Data Science. This could open up opportunities for careers as machine learning engineers, data scientists, or AI developers, where they can be part of groundbreaking technologies and innovations.
The best online jobs for teens teach you how to be independent while also giving you time to focus on school and other important parts of your life. But what should you consider when choosing jobs for teens online? Here are some pointers:
Online jobs for teens are not just get-rich early schemes. From virtual assistance to web and app testing, these jobs can set you up for a career you're passionate about. Having an online side gig as a teen helps you figure out your path early on and lets you focus your energy on it.
Legit online jobs also help you build a portfolio and get ahead in life by gaining career experience before graduation. But watch out for scammers! Stick to trusted sites like Fiverr or Upwork, and never pay for a job. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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It's legal for teens to make money online, but some platforms may have age restrictions. It's important to review the terms and conditions of each site or job to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to avoid any potential issues.
Teens can discover the best online jobs by exploring reputable websites, seeking recommendations from friends or family, and focusing on opportunities that align with their skills and interests. Researching different job options and considering factors like pay rates and flexibility can help in finding suitable gigs.
PayPal restricts account creation for those under 18 due to legal reasons. However, platforms like Stripe, Square, and Venmo allow minors to sign up with parental consent. Still, these platforms might have limitations on certain features or transactions despite permitting underage account holders.
Online side jobs can bring in some cash for teens, depending on the work and effort. Some might make a lot, while others earn less. Being consistent, doing quality work, and finding well-paying gigs can make a difference.
Balancing online jobs with school and other activities means being organized. Teens can make schedules, set aside time for work and fun, and use tools like calendars or to-do lists. Setting goals and staying focused can help too.
Typing jobs online suits teens well and includes things like data entry, transcription, and writing. These gigs involve typing text from images or audio recordings, turning spoken words into written text, or writing content for websites.
Teens can explore numerous online jobs from home, such as freelance writing, virtual assistance, graphic design, social media management, tutoring, data entry, website development, online surveys, selling crafts, and affiliate marketing. These opportunities allow teens to earn money while leveraging their skills and interests from the comfort of home.
Alex Quin is a full-stack marketing expert and global keynote speaker. Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of UADV Marketing - a member of the Forbes Agency Council.
