Influencers, gamers as role models, kids hurry to dump school for quick money – The Times of India

Hyderabad: For some city children, school is passe and hard work so yesterday. But these well-to-do children’s easy mantra for rosy life ahead is driving their parents up the wall.
Whether due to gaming addiction, attraction of influencers or vision of YouTube channels minting money, some city parents have found to their horror that their teenagers, who have barely stepped into senior school, would rather drop out and step into the world without education.
Most of these youngsters in class 8 or 9 are unwilling to return to school as they believe traditional education is not required today to make a living.
Psychologist P Jawaharlal Nehru said the main reason such teenagers want to drop out is that they see very young people making easy money via social media. It makes them think why they should slog in school when they too can do something similar and earn quick money, he said
“They all have some idea or another. Some want to start a YouTube channel, others want their parents to fund their business idea so they can create employment, and some others want to start a service company or become an influencer or a singer. Even counselling doesn’t work as they are very adamant,” he said.
Charan Teja Koganti, neuropsychiatrist, KIMS Hospital, added: “I have seen cases where children argue that education is nothing but a money-making business and they don’t learn anything useful in school. These children in the age group of 13-15 want to quit school, and all these are from affluent families.”
Parents, however, are at a loss on how to deal with their rebellious teenagers not willing to listen to reason.
“I paid the fee for class 9, but my son did not even attend a single class. Now, I have given up as he is adamant that he doesn’t want to go to school. We are trying to convince him to at least complete his studies through distance education,” said a parent, adding that all his son wants to do is play games and turn his addiction into a career.
Another parent, whose daughter dropped out of class 9, said she is fixated on starting a YouTube channel.
“She wants to be an influencer. She says there is no need for heavy investment and she can earn money quickly. I don’t know how to change her mind as even counselling is not helping,” the father rued.