Here is the latest of our student blogs.

Rebecca Graham is an 18 year old student studying Journalism at Glasgow Clyde college. She enjoys watching documentaries and is an orca whales enthusiast. 

Millions of people across the world, particularly teenage girls, now spend their time watching videos online shared by YouTube personalities instead of obsessing over boybands or watching television programmes.

Although some YouTubers see the videos they produce as only a bit of fun, they hold a great responsibility doing that because many young viewers see them as very influential figures.

Even though not all people who watch Youtubers videos are teenagers, the majority of those watching and attending opportunities to meet them are.

People feel they can relate to Youtubers because they film so much of their cheery, everyday lives while still dealing with their own personal issues (an example of this would be Zoella dealing with anxiety). However, with all the travelling they do and glamorous events they attend, people also aspire to be like them.

Hundreds of YouTubers across the world are making millions of pounds through advertisements linked to their videos on top of selling products such as books, clothing, beauty products and DVDs.

Many of these Youtubers’ careers began creating videos as a hobby, but as their numbers of viewers and subscribers increased, being involved with YouTube became a growing business.

It can be argued that boybands and big names in the music business have now been replaced by people writing blogs and sharing videos on social media.

If you walked down Buchanan Street in Glasgow five years ago and passed by a group of teenagers, they would most likely be wearing a One Direction, Justin Bieber or any other artists' hoodie or T-shirt.

Nowadays, you’ll find most teenagers wearing and using products designed by various Youtubers. Instead of bands being on magazine covers, the headlines are now focused on British Youtubers.

Over the past few months you may have seen hundreds of teenagers flood the streets of Glasgow, particularly around St Enoch’s Centre and Argyle Street, queuing to meet YouTubers at book signings. One of them was my younger sister.

Laura Graham, 14, told us: “I’d say my favourite Youtuber is Zoe Sugg. She is a very influential person because she helps a lot of charities including stand up to cancer.

“I watch YouTubers lives on a daily and weekly basis, so I am always eager to meet them. Like many of my friends who watch their videos, when you have been watching their content for years it feels surreal to meet them as you feel like you know them.”

Laura went on to tell us about her experiences meeting various YouTube personalities:

“I have met Alfie Deyes (Pointless Blog), Marcus Butler and Zoe Sugg (Zoella) at book signings and recently met Joe Sugg and Caspar Lee at a book signing.

“There can be hundreds or even over one thousand viewers or ‘fans’ all queuing up around you, who all there for the same reason you are.

When the YouTuber you are queuing for walks out, the crowd screams and it feels surreal because you know the personal life of the YouTuber online, however in most cases they don't know you, therefore it feels strange for people to be screaming at the person you’re there for.

 “All of the YouTubers that I've met have all been lovely in person. They have all been very down to earth and kind to me. They always ask how you are, your name, and talk to you like you are one of their friends.”

 “In my opinion, there isn't any bands I particularly like or find as entertaining as YouTubers. When I was younger I loved JLS, however once they broke up, there was no other boy bands who I particularly liked at the same level as I liked them, so I ended up spending my time watching YouTube videos. At the time when I started watching their videos, most people did not know who the people I was watching were, so it became unusual and different to watch rather than listen to bands and other artists.”

It can be argued that perhaps a lot of YouTubers take advantage of their role in being an idol for young viewers by releasing so many products for them to buy and making money doing very little.

However, there are YouTubers out there who travel the world and have worked very hard in the business to succeed.