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7 of the most influential bloggers for teens you've NEVER heard of!

Just who ARE Zoella, Pointless Alfie and Pew Die Pie? Turns out they're pretty good role models for today's teens – here's why.

By vwhitePublished: 08 January 2015

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You may not spend a huge amount of time on YouTube (though you MUST check out our 'How To' videos on the Good Housekeeping channel including how to make the perfect smoothie!) but any self respecting teen watches as much content these days via their tablet or desktop as they do via TV. And if you thought this was all bad news then we are here to allay your fears. Many of the YouTube superstars to emerge in the UK in the past couple of years are pretty wholesome characters. And throw into that US influencers like Tyler Oakley who act as role models for teens dealing with all manner of issues and you should be assured that there is a lot to be grateful for to this bunch of advice givers, fun makers and entertainers. To help you look vaguely informed the next time a teen talks to you about who they watch on YouTube, we've done this handy guide. Just don't ask us about Video Gamers on YouTube – you'll have to head over to Digital Spy for more info on them!

Tyler Oakley

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Tyler Oakley is an American YouTuber with over 6.2 million subscribers. He is a very vocal advocate for LGBT youth. His vlog tackles many social issues affecting young people but in a fun, accessible way that doesn't sound preachy or dull. His first ever YouTube video has had 70 000 views and he's even done a video with Michelle Obama about education. He does a weekly podcast called Pyschobabble which younger teen boys love!

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Alfie Deyes (aka Pointless Alfie)

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One half of 'Zalfie' (that's Zoella and Alfie for the uninitiated!) – see later slide about Zoella – his PointlessBlog on YouTube has 3.5 million subscribers. On his blog he opines about all sorts of things – from how many marshmallows you can fit in your mouth and still say chubby bunny, to how it felt to move in with his girlfriend (Zoella). She guests on his vlog and he on hers. He recently wrote a book called The Pointless Book (can you see what he did there?) which went to the top of Amazon's best sellers list. He had 8000 fans at his first book signing, and teen boys and girls alike love him. And he is totally harmless. So that's good then!

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Tanya Burr

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Tanya Burr started out on YouTube as a beauty blogger – her bedroom videos of how to apply make-up or do your hair were instant hits with young girls. As her popularity has grown – she's now got nearly 3 million YouTube subscribers – she's branched out with her own range of cosmetics and an up and coming book. She's totally non threatening and girls relate to her issues with body image and being a 'real girl' like them. She's dating another YouTuber called Jim Chapman and her best friend is Zoella (are you keeping up?).

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Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (aka PewDiePie)

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PewDiePie is the most watched man on YouTube. A Swede born in Gothenburg, he started his video gaming YouTube channel in 2013 and now has 33 million subscribers! His videos, sometimes focusing on the more violent bits of action games, are not for the faint hearted, however he is an amazing success story of how to make web work for you. He's even appeared in two episodes of South Park.

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Joe Sugg (aka Thatcher Joe)

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Thatcher Joe was working as a thatcher (you can see what he did there!) until his sister Zoella's success propelled him to launch his own YouTube channel. Via his network including his sister and Pointless Alfie he has grown his subscribers to over 3 million. Vlogging mainly about silly stuff – teen girls love his quiffy hair while boys think he's just a bit funny. Check out his Innuendo Bingo (what do you mean you don't know what that is?).

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Zoella

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THE most influential vlogger for young women. Her girl next door advice on hair, make-up and life has made her a massive success both here and in the US even. She recently released a fictional book, Girl Online, which threatened to be her first whiff of scandal when it was revealed it was ghost written, but her fans don't seem to care! She speaks honestly about her insecurities and confidence issues – which teen girls relate to, making her a big sister style role model. She has almost 7 million YouTube subscribers.

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Marcus Butler

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Marcus Butler is a 24-year-old blogger and vlogger with his own channel called Marcus Butler TV. His videos consist of pranks, silliness and general mayhem with his other YouTube friends, including all of the aforementioned YouTubers. But before you dismiss it as twaddle – as with many other YouTubers, he is silly without an edge. Kids love him and he's essentially a 'nice boy'. All good, right?

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