More and more children and teenagers are interested in entrepreneurship. Whether it's creating content on YouTube, selling online or launching small projects, the new generation is attracted by the idea of working for themselves and turn their ideas into business. But should we encourage this entrepreneurial spirit among our young people? What are the benefits and risks of starting out at an early age?

Why is entrepreneurship so attractive to young people today?

     A new vision of work and success

Unlike previous generations, who valued stability and permanent contracts, today's young people are looking for independence and flexibility. independence and flexibility. The idea of "having fun at work is becoming a priority, far removed from the image of the fixed office and rigid working hours.

Seeing their parents change careers, retrain or suffer the stress of working for a livingmany young people want to follow a different path. Some even grow up in families where entrepreneurship is already a reality: 70% of children of entrepreneurs become entrepreneurs themselves.

     The influence of social networks and digital

With the rise of platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagramentrepreneurship has become more visible and accessible. Many creators share the behind-the-scenes stories of their projects, showing that it's possible to that it's possible to set up a business with very little.

On TikTok, young people are exposed to a multitude of videos explaining how to make money online, sell products, or invest in crypto-currencies. This phenomenon leads some to try their hand at it, often self-taught and inspired by their favorite influencers.

     A school that doesn't always prepare you for the world of work

The education system is still very much focused on theoretical and academic learning. Yet, in a world where 85% of tomorrow's professions do not yet existyoung people need to develop new skills:

✅ Learn to adapt quickly.
✅ Manage a project from A to Z.
✅ Develop a spirit of initiative and resilience.

Entrepreneurship enables young people to work on these skills that they don't always acquire at schoolby giving them a more concrete vision of the world of work.

The benefits of entrepreneurship for children and teenagers

A powerful self-confidence booster

Creating a project allows children and teenagers to :

• Realize their potential.
• Develop their autonomy and decision-making skills.
• Overcome their fears and get out of their comfort zone.

Through entrepreneurial workshops such as Klesis Junioryoung people discover that their ideas have value, and that they can put them into practice.

Example: Noëlly, aged 12, launched her brand of personalized bracelets and generated 1,500 euros in sales in one day at a Christmas market. The experience transformed her self-confidence.

     A practical introduction to economics and financial management

Starting a business, even on a small scale, is an excellent way to learn how money works :

• • Understand the concepts of costs, benefits and investments.
  • Learn to manage a budget and make financial choices.
  • Know how to sell and convince customers.

These skills are essential in a world where financial education is still underdeveloped in schools.

     Looking to the future and innovation

Young entrepreneurs learn to adapt to a rapidly changing world. With the rise of artificial intelligence and digital technology, certain traditional professions are set to disappear, while new opportunities are emerging. new opportunities emerge.

The entrepreneurial spirit enables them to :

• Develop their creativity and capacity for innovation.
• Online self-training via Youtube content accessible to all.
• Test their ideas and learn from their mistakes, as part of a growth mindset.

Limits and precautions

     Don't idealize entrepreneurship

While social networks convey a glamorous image of entrepreneurship, the reality is often more complex. Most entrepreneurs face :

• Many failures before success.
• A great deal of pressure and stress.
• A lack of stable income at the outset.

Some young people think they can get rich quickinfluenced by videos promising astronomical incomes in just a few months. But, 85% of content creators in France earn less than the minimum wage..

Tip for parents: Help your child analyze the models he or she follows online and distinguish dream from reality.

     Supervising and accompanying your child

Entrepreneurship can be a rewarding experience, as long as it's properly properly supervised. Here are a few tips to help your child get started:

1️⃣ Encouraging testing and experimentation

Let your child try it on a small scale Let your child try his hand at a small scale: selling creations, offering a service, setting up a mini-shop online. This way, they can learn without pressure and see if they like it.

2️⃣ Help him develop an entrepreneurial mindset

The important thing is not necessarily that they become entrepreneurs, but that they acquire an entrepreneurial spirit. entrepreneurial spirit :

• Learn to solve problems.
• Perseverance in the face of difficulties.
• Develop autonomy and learning skills.

3️⃣ Discover inspiring career paths

Show her a variety of modelsand not just social networking stars. It can be inspiring to discover entrepreneurs who have succeeded thanks to their creativity and perseveranceeven without millions of followers.

4️⃣ Teaching him to manage risks

Supporting him in managing his project enables him to teach them to analyze opportunities and risks. For example, a young person wishing to sell online needs to be made aware of :

❌ Data protection regulations.
❌ The financial risks associated with investments.
❌ Managing your image and privacy on the networks.

Conclusion: a springboard to the future, but not without a framework

Encouraging a child to be an entrepreneur does not mean pushing them at all costs to create their own business. Above all, it's about offering them a learning spacewhere they can test their ideas, discover their talents and develop useful skills for the future.

Rather than seeing entrepreneurship as an end in itself, let's consider it as a formidable tool for preparing our children for the challenges of tomorrow.

The Soft Kids team 🌈