How To Make Money Online As A Teenager (10 Awesome Ways)

Sammie Ellard-King

I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it.

Quickfire Roundup:

The internet has revolutionised the way teenagers can earn money, making it easier and more accessible than ever before.

From making YouTube videos to starting an online business, the World Wide Web is chock-full of money-making opportunities for teens.

These include some tutoring, blogging, surveys, and more. There are literally thousands and we’re going to look at some creative ways to make money as a teenager.

You’re here because you want to know how to make money online as a teenager. Well, my friend, you’re in the right place.

Gone are the days of bagging groceries at your local store and offering babysitting services to your neighbours.

Thanks to the power of the internet, all teenagers need to make money is a solid internet connection, a trusty laptop, and drive.

Online jobs not only put money in your pocket, but they’re also super flexible.

You’ll be able to maintain a healthy balance between work and play – no more sacrificing your social life!

If you’re a teenager eager to get started with earning an income online, I’m here to help you put your best financial foot forward and discover the world of online jobs.

Different Ways You Can Make Money Online As a Teenager

Full-time

Let’s talk about the first option on your job search checklist: full-time jobs. These jobs give you the financial independence you’re looking for.

But – they also require a level of commitment, so you’ll want to make sure you’re ready for the challenge.

The biggest benefit of having a full-time job is that you can count on receiving a steady paycheck every month.

You know what this means: you can save up for all sorts of things, like that dream car you’ve had your eye on for years.

Part-time

Part-time jobs offer flexibility that allows you to stay on top of your schoolwork while earning a solid income. Plus, you’ll still have plenty of time for socialising.

Working part-time also helps you figure out what kind of job you really want to do. You can test the waters with a different role or industry and discover what truly sparks your interest.

Whilst you're studying

Balancing your academic commitments with work is essential, so any job you undertake will likely have to fit around your educational timetable – be that school, college, or university hours.

For those reaching the age of 18, you’ll either transition to full-time employment or head off to hopefully learn how to make your millions at university.

If you’re the latter then I can attest from personal experience that the life of a cash-strapped student is far from ideal!

We have compiled a guide on various strategies you can still earn an income as a student whilst not affecting your studies.

Holiday jobs

Another option for earning extra cash online is through taking on holiday jobs.

This is the perfect job option if you’re too swamped during the school term to work part-time and would like to make some extra money during the holidays.

A holiday job is a great way to try something new, all while gaining valuable skills and life experience along the way.

Rules About Earning Money As A Teenager & Tax Rules

Now, I know this doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s definitely an important part of being a responsible working teen!

First, let’s take a look at what the law says about working under the age of 18. In the UK, teens from 13 years old can legally work part-time.

Once you hit the age of 16 (the minimum school-leaving age, that is), you can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week).

To make sure teens are safe and their rights are protected, there are laws that say what kinds of work they can do, how much they’re paid, and when they can work.

If you’re a teenager between the ages of 13 and 16, these rules apply to you:

You can only work in places that are considered safe. Working in factories, industrial sites, or most jobs in pubs or betting shops is a no-no.
You can only work during certain hours of the day. You cannot work before 7:00 AM or after 7:00 PM.
You cannot work during school hours or an hour before school.
You are entitled to a one-hour break every four hours.
You can only work a job if it doesn’t affect your health, well-being, or education.

Now, let’s talk taxes. It might surprise you to learn that teenagers have to pay tax, even those under 18.

But everyone is entitled to a tax-free allowance, including teens. If you’re under 18 and earn less than £1,042 a month (which is over £12,570 a year), you won’t have to pay any tax or income tax.

Ok, now that all that’s out of the way – it’s time to get into the exciting part: how to make money online!

10 Best Ways To Make Money Online As A Teenager

The good news for teens is, there are plenty of ways to earn cash online and you don’t need to stick to just one venture.

If you’re ready to commit to working online but aren’t sure where to start, I have you sorted with my guide on how to make money online for beginners.

Here are some ways teenagers can start making money online:

1. Tutor online

If you’re a star student in core subjects like English, Science, or Maths, then you’ve got the skills to make some good money as a tutor.

You can help students prepare for exams like the 11-plus, GCSEs, or A-levels.

While many online tutoring platforms require you to be 18 or older (and sometimes even have a degree), that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for teens.

You can create your own tutoring business and find your own clients.

You can talk to other fellow students, reach out to after-school clubs, talk to family friends, start a Facebook page, or even create YouTube videos.

2. Make content on social media

You can become a ‘micro influencer’ and earn money online by creating and sharing engaging content on social media platforms.

You likely already spend most of your time on social media, so why not turn it into a side hustle? A great place to start is TikTok or Instagram.

You can make videos on just about anything you’re passionate about, from makeup tutorials to comedy sketches.

The secret to success lies in building a large and devoted following of people eager to engage with your posts through likes, shares, and comments.

3. Take online surveys

Did you know you could get paid just by filling in a couple of questions? Who knew online jobs for teens were that easy to come by?

There are many paid online survey sites open to teens looking to make some extra cash. A great survey site is Swagbucks (must be 13 to sign up).

This is a popular site that allows you to earn points by doing tasks like taking online surveys, watching videos, and even playing games. You can redeem your points for free gift cards or for cash via a PayPal account.

While completing online surveys for teens this may not make you rich but it is a convenient and flexible way for teens to make money online.

4. Start a YouTube channel

Becoming a YouTuber can be a super fun venture for teens. You can vlog about your daily life, share reviews, or make fun entertaining videos. It’s all up to you!

Doing YouTube as an online job will take time and effort to build an audience and start earning money, but don’t let that discourage you! The more you create, the better you’ll get.

As long as you’re passionate, you’ll be able to draw viewers in and get them to subscribe and like your content.

And, as your fanbase grows, so will your bank account! Google AdSense and affiliate marketing are just a couple of ways to monetise your content.

That being said YouTube channels on the creator program doubled in 2022 so there’s a huge opportunity here and I think YouTube is the best way to make money as a teenager.

This requires patience and skill. It’s not easy to make money on YouTube.

Check out the best affiliate marketing companies in the UK.

5. Start a blog

If you have a passion for a specific topic and have extensive knowledge of it, then starting a blog could be an excellent online job for you!

Creating a blog is a user-friendly process that only requires a computer and content creation skills. But, much like creating a YouTube channel, making money from a blog requires time, dedication and effort.

Once you’ve established a base of readers, you can place ads, promote affiliate links, and use Google to drive traffic.

This will allow your blog to become a source of passive income for teens that works even when you’re not actually working on it.

Getting your blog noticed is tough and making a blog successful is even tougher! But, it is more than possible, even in 2023.

Blogging isn’t the only form of passive income you can make as a teen, though. You can find out more from my guide on 16 ideas to make passive income from home.

6. Sell your craft online

If you’re a particularly creative teenager, why not combine your hobby with making money? You could sell anything online, from handmade jewellery and keychains to art – and even custom t-shirts.

The best platform to turn your creativity into cash is Etsy. This is one of the largest online marketplaces dedicated to handmade goods.

To sign up for an Esty account, you’ll either need to be 18 years old, or have someone over 18 manage your account and the money you earn from sales.

If you’re ready to start your own online business but aren’t sure where to start, check out my 10 steps on how to start a small business.

7. Work as a virtual assistant

If you have a knack for organisation, time management and research, why not consider being a virtual assistant?

As a virtual assistant, you’ll take on a range of tasks for busy business people, like scheduling appointments, sprucing up presentations, and managing social media accounts.

You’ll be doing this all from the comfort of your own home – so you can keep your PJs on, no problem!

To find out more about this role and sign up, you can check out Fiverr (open to ages 13+) or Indeed (open to ages 16+).

8. Become a freelancer

As the world of work continues to evolve, so do the opportunities for online jobs for teens, like freelancing!

Whether you’re a wordsmith, a wizard with numbers, or a master of the arts, there are tons of online freelance opportunities you can take advantage of.

To start off, sign up for a freelancing website and showcase your abilities and previous experience. Make sure to do your research and price your services appropriately.

9. Flip and resell old stuff

Another great side hustle for teens to make more money is flipping and reselling items. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book: selling stuff you already have lying around your house or garage.

Just make sure that what you’re selling doesn’t belong to another family member!

The best items to sell are anything vintage: clothes, records, furniture; you name it. You can even check around thrift stores for any good finds.

Once you’ve got your items and polished them up into good condition (if they need it), you can post them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or eBay.

10. Get into dropshipping

Dropshipping is like running your own online store, except you don’t have to worry about stocking any inventory. This is a super convenient solution for teens with busy schedules.

As a dropshipper, you’ll be the middleman, connecting customers with suppliers and making a profit in between.

Now, you might need some help from your parents when it comes to setting this up. Just keep in mind that dropshipping requires clever marketing and hard work to turn it into a passive income source for teens.

FAQs

How much money can I make online as a teenager?

How much you earn will depend on what online jobs you do. Becoming popular on social media platforms can generate a good chunk of money, while some online jobs may only provide a small sum.

How can teenagers make money online quickly?

Making quick money can be challenging, as most online jobs require a good deal of time, effort, and dedication.

But there are some methods to earn extra money quickly, such as participating in paid surveys, selling old stuff online, and working in a freelance role.

Final Thoughts

With the right guidance, earning money as a teenager doesn’t have to be difficult. I remember embarking on the path to financial independence and how thrilling it was to spend money I’d earned.

It may be daunting, but it’s definitely doable!

Luckily, you should have some actionable strategies from this blog! If you want to explore other options for working online, take a look at my top 10 side hustle ideas.

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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.