Watchly Safety Review

The TRUTH on Being a YouTuber

13:50 · 1.9M views · December 6, 2024

Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

6Minor Flags

This video is safe for most kids, offering an honest and balanced look at the realities of being a YouTuber, though it includes mild language and a brief mention of family conflict. The creator shares valuable lessons about hard work, passion, and the downsides of fame, but also promotes his own merchandise and asks for subscriptions, which could encourage consumerism. Overall, it's a thoughtful, self-aware reflection that can spark good conversations about careers and online life.

Content Breakdown · 6 Categories

Strong & Crude LanguageA little

The video contains very mild crude language, specifically the phrase 'shut the f*** up' imitating paparazzi interaction, and a reference to '69th time'. The language is not pervasive or graphic, but present enough to note.

See evidence (2)

“shut the f*** up (in a joke about paparazzi)”

“I'm going to say it again for the 69th time”

Mental Health & Self-Harm ReferencesA little

The creator openly discusses mental health struggles including burnout, guilt, and stress — but in a reflective, non-glorifying context. Mentions 'bad for my mental health' and 'it's really hard to disconnect'. No self-harm or suicidal ideation is present; the tone is educational and vulnerable.

See evidence (3)

“it's really bad for my mental health”

“burnout is a real thing”

“it feels like it's nonstop and impossible to take a mental break”

Materialism & Wealth FlexingA little

The creator discusses money in a generally humble and grateful tone, but does mention earning more than doctors, buying a car, and taking family on trips. This is presented with guilt and a desire to give back, not as ostentatious flexing. Low-level mention of wealth, but not central.

See evidence (2)

“the fact that I make more than a doctor... honestly makes me very sad and feel very guilty”

“I could go buy a ton of fancy cars beach houses jewelry and just show off but I kind of don't want to”

Parasocial & Emotional ManipulationA little

The creator uses affectionate language toward the audience ('love you guys', 'best army on YouTube') and invites emotional connection. However, it feels genuine and not coercive. There is a slight pressure to subscribe ('if you're not subscribed subscribe now') and a mild guilt-trip towards the end for engagement ('one like equals 1 W for a cookie mom'). Moderate parasocial elements, but not highly manipulative.

See evidence (4)

“I love you guys”

“building the best army on YouTube”

“one like equals 1 W for a cookie mom”

“if you're not subscribed subscribe now”

Engagement Baiting & Manipulative CTAsA little

The video includes mild engagement baiting: a guilt-based CTA for likes tied to the creator's mother's retirement ('one like equals 1 W for a cookie mom'), and a subscription push tied to a future face reveal. These are not extreme but are present and somewhat manipulative.

See evidence (3)

“one like equals 1 W for a cookie mom”

“subscribe right now if you want a face reveal”

“if you're not subscribed subscribe now”

Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

The creator briefly mentions 'scream into my mic and ape on video games' and 'playing Minecraft', which implies video-game combat, but there is no active depiction of fantasy violence in the video itself. Almost negligible.

See evidence (1)

“I just scream into my mic and ape on video games”

What Parents Need to Know

This video provides a surprisingly mature and grounded perspective on the YouTuber lifestyle, highlighting both the perks (freedom, financial success, ability to help family) and the challenges (burnout, loss of personal time, guilt over money, strained family relationships). The creator openly discusses mental health struggles like guilt and burnout, and shares a personal story of being kicked out of the house due to his career choice. However, parents should note the video includes mild language (e.g., 'shut the f*** up' is bleeped but implied), a joke about '69', and a clear call to subscribe and buy merch. The positive messages about following passion, staying grounded, and valuing family outweigh the concerns, but younger kids may need guidance to understand the nuanced message.

Talk to Your Kids About

1What do you think are the biggest challenges of being a YouTuber, based on what Cookie said?
2The creator talked about feeling guilty about making a lot of money. Why do you think he feels that way, and what does it say about him?
3Cookie mentioned that his dream job still feels like a job sometimes. What do you think he means by that?
4How does the creator's relationship with his family affect his story? What can we learn from his experience?

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

this is my truth on being a full time minecraft youtuber animation SHOP COOKIE MERCH: https://acookiegod.com/ hi. im literally just a normal guy who makes youtube videos on minecraft so i thought i'd share my honest experience on what its like to be a full time youtuber! dont get me wrong, i absolutely love my job but sometimes it can get hard... so i wanted to be open about it. ok love u hehe -------------------------------------- follow me for IRL content! • instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aCookieGod/ • twitter: https://twitter.com/aCookieGod • discord: https://discord.gg/cookiearmy • current subscribers: 6,166,874 its been my dream to post animations and i have been inspired by the greats like TheOdd1sOut, JaidenAnimations, Haminations and SocksStudios! let me know what animation story you want to see in the next COOKIEMATIONS :D #animation #cookiemations #acookiegod

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this video appropriate for?

This video is recommended for ages 10 and up. The content is generally safe, but it includes mild language (like a bleeped curse word), a joke about '69', and discussions of mental health struggles like burnout and guilt that may be too complex for younger children.

Does the video contain any inappropriate language?

Yes, there is one instance where the creator says 'shut the f*** up' (the curse word is bleeped but clearly implied). There is also a joke referencing the number '69'. Otherwise, the language is clean.

Is the video trying to sell something to my child?

Yes, at the end of the video, the creator promotes his own merchandise line (custom sweaters and clothing) and asks viewers to subscribe for a potential face reveal. This is a form of advertising, so parents may want to discuss commercial intent with their child.

Does the video discuss mental health?

Yes, the creator openly talks about experiencing burnout, guilt over making money, and the pressure of always feeling like he should be working. He also mentions that his dream job sometimes feels like an office job. These discussions are handled maturely and can be educational, but may need parental guidance for younger viewers.

Is the video's message about being a YouTuber realistic?

Yes, the video offers a balanced and honest perspective. The creator shares both the positive aspects (freedom, financial success, helping family) and the negative ones (loss of personal time, stress, strained relationships). It encourages viewers to pursue their passion for the right reasons, not just for money or fame.

Does the video encourage kids to become YouTubers?

The creator advises viewers to become a YouTuber only if they truly love creating content, not for money or fame. He emphasizes hard work, dedication, and passion. While it doesn't discourage the dream, it presents a realistic picture that may help kids think critically about the career.