Children want to be celebrities. Is it compatible with school engagement?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The labor market is undergoing continuous transformations, with new professions emerging as a result of digitalization. Social networks are also becoming professionalized tools, as well as a niche market for all social segments, including minors. In the media ecosystem, youtubers and influencers emerge as professionals of these media, who exert great influence among their followers due to the digital content they generate, and because they become role models in the vocational desire of minors, who wish to emulate them and dedicate themselves to the same profession. That is why the objective of this research is to identify factors that may influence the desire of minors to want to be celebrities. METHOD. A quantitative methodology was followed, using a questionnaire as an instrument for collecting information, applied to 343 schoolchildren in the fifth and sixth years of primary education. RESULTS. A total of 60.2% would like to be a youtuber and/or influencer, with those who have a profile in networks, mainly in TikTok, opting for it. A greater school commitment (cognitive and behavioral) implies a lower desire to dedicate oneself to this profession. Likewise, the availability of social networks favors a lower school commitment. DISCUSSION. It is necessary to implement vocational guidance programs with minors in order to be able to critically manage the influences they receive in their decision-making and in the construction of their life project.