If you’re searching for ways to make money online as a teen, you’re definitely not the only one. There are more ways for teenagers to make money online now than ever before, thanks to all sorts of platforms, apps, and remote opportunities. I’ve spent a good amount of time testing and researching these options. Some are super easy to start, while others might need a bit more effort, but every one of them is legit and can help you build skills (and your wallet).
Online Money-Making Basics for Teenagers
There’s no shortage of ways to make money as a teen online, and you don’t need loads of experience or a college degree to get started. Most options only need a device and a reliable internet connection. Before picking any method, it helps to know what you actually enjoy doing and what kind of commitment you can stick with, especially if you’re juggling school and other interests.
It’s also important to keep the basics in mind. Always check the age rules for any site, read reviews, and talk to a parent or guardian if you’re under 18. If you ever get asked to pay money up front, it’s almost always a red flag.
Best Ways To Make Money Online As A Teen
I’ve seen a lot of people ask what the best way to make money online as a teenager is. The truth is, there’s no one single answer. For some, it’s about short tasks that pay quickly, for others, it’s about creative gigs or starting a small business online. So, here are some of the top ways I think are worth checking out, with a mix of easy ideas and ones that can pay off more as you get better at them.
- Freelance Gigs: Writing, graphic design, or simple video editing gigs are available on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. Teens aged 13+ can join Fiverr with parental permission.
- Online Tutoring: Good at math, science, English, or another subject? Sites like Cambly or Tutor.com sometimes allow teens (with supervision) to earn extra cash helping others learn.
- Surveys and Market Research: Swagbucks, Toluna, and Survey Junkie pay you to answer questions, watch videos, or even play games. While you won’t get rich, it’s a quick and easy way to make money online as a teenager, especially if you just want something you can do on your phone.
- Sell Handmade Crafts or Vintage Items: If you love creating things, Etsy is great for selling crafts, jewelry, or art. For those under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian to set up your shop.
- Gaming and Esports: Streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, or joining online tournaments, can earn you money if you build an audience or skillset. Some teens make money from donations, sponsored streams, or ad revenue.
- Print on Demand: Create designs and upload them to Redbubble or Teespring. When people buy your shirts, stickers, or gifts, you earn a chunk of the sale. No inventory or shipping skills needed, you just need a bit of creativity.
- Start a Blog or Niche Website: If you’ve got something to say—sports, music, gaming, lifestyle—starting a blog can bring in money through ads or affiliate marketing. This approach does take patience, but over time, your audience (and earnings) can really grow.
- Social Media Management: Got a knack for TikTok or Instagram? Some local businesses need help keeping up their social profiles and are open to working with creative teens who know what’s popular.
- Virtual Assistant Work: Tasks like organizing schedules, handling email, or basic data entry can pay by the hour. Many remote job boards, like Remote.co or FlexJobs, list opportunities open to students and teens.
- Participate in User Testing: UserTesting pays people as young as 16 to review websites and apps by giving feedback on their experience.
Quick Start Guide: Easy Ideas For Beginners
Some ways to make money online for teenagers require almost no barrier to entry and are perfect if you just want some pocket money. Here are a few super easy methods:
- Watch Videos or Ads: Platforms like Swagbucks offer quick rewards for engaging with videos or sponsored content. Just keep your expectations realistic. The pay is small, but it adds up if you’re consistent.
- Microtasks: Sites like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Appen, or Clickworker offer simple online tasks that can fit into short breaks during your day. Tasks might include tagging images, transcribing short audio, or testing apps.
- Sell Old Stuff: If you have games, clothes, or gadgets you’re ready to give up, selling them on eBay, Depop, or Mercari is a smart way for teenagers to make money online. You handle the listing and packing, and the platforms make selling straightforward.
These options are super accessible and don’t need lots of experience or upfront costs. If you’re new to all of this, try several and see what feels right for you.
Things To Think About Before Getting Started
Jumping into all these online opportunities can be exciting, but a little planning goes a long way. Here are the most common things to pay attention to when looking for ways to make money as a teen online.
- Your Age: Some platforms have strict age rules, so always double check the requirements before signing up. If you need parental permission, talk with a trusted adult first.
- Online Safety: Protect your personal info, use strong passwords, and never share sensitive details with anyone online. Scams can target anyone, especially teenagers new to making money online.
- Payment Methods: Know how you’ll get paid. Some sites send payments through PayPal or direct deposit, which may not be open to under 18s. Set up payments with a parent if needed, or look for gift card payout options.
- Scam Awareness: If a job or website promises huge payouts for little work or asks you to pay for access, it’s wise to research before jumping in. Reading reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Reddit helps.
- School and Life Balance: It’s easy to get excited about work and money, but make sure it doesn’t affect your grades or downtime. Setting boundaries around work hours can help.
Platform Age Restrictions
Some ways to make money online as a teenager are open to 13 to 17 year olds with parental oversight, while others require you to be 18+. Always read the terms and check if a parent or guardian needs to join in to set up a teen account.
Safety And Time Management
Never share private info such as your address or full name unless it’s strictly necessary for payment. And remember, online gigs can be fun, but make sure they fit reasonably with your other responsibilities.
Advanced Tips: Take Up a Notch Your Earnings
As you get more comfortable with ways for teenagers to make money online, it makes sense to look for higher paying or long term ideas. Here are a few tips to increase your earnings and learn some valuable skills along the way:
Get Better at What You Do: Whether it’s design, writing, or streaming, improving your skills means you can start charging more or reach a bigger audience. There are tons of free tutorials on YouTube or Skillshare to upgrade your abilities.
Track Your Earnings and Expenses: Keeping a simple spreadsheet or using an app helps you see what pays best and makes taxes (yes, even teens can owe tax!) much less stressful.
Try Affiliate Marketing: If you run a blog or popular social account, mentioning or reviewing products can bring in affiliate commissions when people buy through your links. This is especially trending with tech, gaming, or lifestyle content.
Consider Building a Portfolio: Screenshots of your best designs, blog posts, videos, or social content can help you land bigger online gigs as you gain experience. Over time, a solid portfolio can set you apart from the crowd and lead to even more opportunities.
Network With Others: Joining online communities focused on your area (like Discord groups for artists or Reddit threads for writers) can give you feedback, inspiration, and sometimes even leads for paid gigs.
How Real Teens Are Making Money Online
I’ve chatted with and read stories from plenty of teens who’ve launched mini businesses, managed popular TikTok accounts, or opened Etsy shops. One classmate of mine started selling custom phone wallpapers and now brings in enough to fund his weekend outings. Another friend put her digital art skills to work designing logos for local businesses; she picked up every order through Fiverr. Real results do happen, especially if you stick to what you enjoy and learn a bit each week.
- Gaming Streamers: Teens who stream daily or upload guides build up communities that donate or sponsor their channels.
- Online Thrift Sellers: Plenty of teens flip clothes by shopping secondhand, styling items, and selling them using apps like Depop.
- Tutors: Students who ace certain classes often help younger kids online (with parent approval), boosting their confidence and their savings account at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions I see come up most when teens are looking for ways to make money online as a teenager.
Question: What’s the easiest way for a teenager to make money online?
Answer: Answering surveys, watching videos, or selling unwanted items are all quick and simple places to start. They don’t pay much, but they’re super beginnerfriendly.
Question: Can I make real money starting a YouTube or TikTok channel?
Answer: Yes, but it takes time. Building an audience means consistent posting and some creative thinking. Advertising, sponsorships, and merch all become possible as your following grows.
Question: Are there any risks I should know about?
Answer: The main risks are scams, giving out private info, or violating platform rules. Always check terms, ask questions, and if in doubt, talk to someone you trust before signing up anywhere.
Getting Started With Online Earning As a Teenager
Trying out different ways to make money online as a teen can help you learn, build confidence, and even lead to bigger things down the road. With a little caution and some curiosity, you can start small and see which options fit your schedule and interests best. There’s more than one best way to make money online as a teenager, so keep an open mind and experiment. It might surprise you just how far you can go from your laptop or phone.
