“I’m gonna marry Justin Bieber,” my 5-year-old confidently declared. Her older cousins had just introduced her to his YouTube videos, and Emmy was smitten. At first, it was cute. But, as she grew older and traded crushes on pop stars for beauty influencers with augmented lips and brows, I found myself asking: Is celebrity culture harmful or harmless?
Celebrities have always existed, but today’s version feels more personal, more polished, and more pervasive. And fame seems accessible, even expected. One-third of kids now say they want to be influencers when they grow up, and many Gen Zers would even pay for the chance. If your child is already deep into this world, don’t panic. As moms, we don’t have to surrender our children to the pull of celebrity culture. Here are 5 ways to gradually shift focus and help your child grow more in character than followers.
1. Move the conversation from popularity to purpose.
We probably all slip into the language of popularity without even realizing it, like when we casually mention a viral video at dinner or say we tried a recipe because it had so many shares. But, those kinds of remarks add up. They subtly teach our kids that being noticed is what makes someone valuable. That’s the heart of celebrity culture: fame equals worth.
What to do: Start shifting the spotlight from what’s popular to what’s meaningful. Instead of asking, “Did everyone like what you shared in class?” try, “What part were you most confident to talk about?” And when your child shares about her school day, respond to how she showed character—kindness, curiosity, resilience—not whether anyone noticed.
2. Help your child see the real behind the reels.
Social media influencers are masters of the highlight reel. Even when it looks spontaneous, so much of what they post is curated, filtered, and staged (or sponsored). Your child may not be posting content yet, but he’s absorbing it and forming ideas about what’s “normal,” what’s beautiful, and what success “should” look like.
What to do: Develop your child’s digital literacy by watching content together and asking curious, open-ended questions. Try, “Do you think her life looks like that every day?” or “How many takes do you think it took to get that shot?” (Dude Perfect, I’m looking at you!) Talk openly about filters, AI-created images and videos, editing apps, and the pressure to look perfect online.
3. Spotlight everyday heroes.
Even if your child isn’t actively chasing fame herself, celebrity culture teaches that fame equals importance. And that intense spotlight can blind kids to the people quietly doing meaningful work around them.
What to do: Talk about the teacher who shows up early to tutor your child, the neighbor who drops off soup, or the church small group leader who shows up at your kid’s soccer game. Then, help your child see how he can be an everyday hero too by including the new kid at lunch, writing a thank-you note to his teacher, or setting the table without being asked.
4. Encourage your child to create.
In our family, we love watching celebrity cooking shows together. But it doesn’t stay a passive experience for our kids. We pull out the bakeware and let them loose in the kitchen to create. Now, our oldest loves to cook up new meals for herself. An influencer could help your child uncover a new interest or talent too. So, is celebrity culture harmful or harmless? Well, maybe it’s not entirely black and white.
What to do: Help your child find influencers who teach skills rather than just showcase lifestyles. On YouTube, search terms like “kids coding,” “art tutorials for children,” or “science experiments kids.” Instagram and TikTok are great for quick skill demonstrations. Try hashtags like #kidslearning, #homeschoolresources, or #STEMforkids. Our youngest is building a full-size Star Wars Clone Trooper costume, thanks to an approved YouTuber she follows.
5. Keep your child’s identity rooted deeper than achievement.
Celebrity culture sends a direct message: your worth is based on what you do, how you look doing it, and how many people applaud you (or like you) for it. Whether kids are scoring goals, getting straight A’s, or just trying to fit in, they’re growing up in a world that constantly pushes them to do more and show more.
What to do: Fame comes and goes, but Mom, you’re playing the long game in building your child’s character. Use these years to remind your child over and over again that who she is becoming matters more than what she is achieving. Let her know she is loved for who she is on her best days and her worst ones. That kind of grounding helps her grow up confident in her worth and protects her from the message celebrity culture tries to send her.
So what do you think? Is celebrity culture harmful or harmless? How have you seen it shape your kids for better or for worse?
