Posted 24 April 2018
Mariah Wilde is Project Manager of Media Trust's Vlogstar Challenge youth training programme and competition. The programme teaches 16-25 year olds in London and Essex to produce vlogs (video-blogs) using just their mobile phone. Mariah shares her thoughts on YouTube's ability to provide a platform for young voices.
The phenomenon of YouTube is undeniable with billions taking to the site daily. YouTube currently ranks among the top three most-visited sites on the web, with more than 400 hours of content uploaded to YouTube each minute. One billion hours of content are watched on YouTube every day!
So is YouTube just for viral videos with shocking clickbait, footage of pets and adorable babies, and the source of the latest dance craze?
Studies show that 59% of young people are more likely to be able to find content they’re passionate about on YouTube than TV.
Or, can it be used as a powerful platform to inspire positivity and high aspiration among young people?
Studies show that 59% of young people are more likely to be able to find content they’re passionate about on YouTube than TV. Globally, young people are the leaders in creating brilliant content and YouTube is not the exception.
There are countless young YouTubers driving this wave of change. Check out London’s very own Humza Arshad, one of YouTube’s Creators For Change which is the global initiative supporting creators that promote positivity, tolerance and empathy on their channels:
The Vlogstar Challenge is an exciting initiative building upon this potential we believe exists in all young people. Young people have a voice; each one different, positive and powerful.
The Vlogstar Challenge is powered by the Jack Petchey Foundation and Media Trust in partnership with YouTube and the Evening Standard. It is a vlogging workshop and competition for 16-25 year olds in London and Essex. Young people take part in free one day training sessions to learn how to create powerful and compelling vlogs using their smartphone.
We teach them the tools, but they supply the creativity and promote a culture of ‘giving something back’.
The Vlogstar champion will be announced at a glitzy grand final event in July 2018
After participating in the workshop, the young people can submit their best vlogs into the Vlogstar competition to be in with the chance of winning some incredible prizes.
150 semi-finalists will get a place on a workshop at YouTube HQ London, 15 finalsts will get time at YouTube’s state of the art production space and the Vlogstar champion will be announced at a glitzy grand final event in July 2018. They will win £2,000 for their organisation, £500 worth of equipment and 1-2-1 mentoring from YouTube’s experts.
If you are a youth organisation or school interested in booking a free workshop get in touch before 11 May 2018.
You can speak to a member of the Vlogstar Challenge team at [email protected].
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