How Teenagers Can Make Money Online: Top 10 Easy Ways to Earn in 2025

From TikTok Trends to Tutoring Triumphs — A Gen‑Z Roadmap to Digital Income

Teenagers Can Make Money: The Gen Z money‑makers aren’t waiting for their driver’s licences before collecting their first paycheques. Nearly 40 % of teenagers already earn digital income, says a November 2024 New York Post feature on teen entrepreneurs. In 2025, the playing field is wider, the tools are cheaper (often free), and the earning potential is only bound by creativity, grit, and—yes—parental permission forms. Ready? Let’s surf ten of the simplest, safest, and savviest online cash streams for under‑18s this year.

How Teenagers Can Make Money: Fun Ways to Earn

1. Click, Answer, Cash‑Out: Paid Surveys & Micro‑Tasks

Platform pick: Swagbucks — minimum age 13, parental OK recommended.
How it pays: Points for surveys, video‑watching, and game trials convert to gift cards or PayPal.
Pocket‑money potential: R50–R150 a day if you stay consistent.
Pro tip: Batch surveys while your phone charges—double‑up on productivity and electricity savings.

2. Crafty Cash: Selling on Etsy

Etsy lets teens 13–17 sell handmade goods under a parent‑supervised account. Whether you crochet scrunchies on the Gautrain or design digital planner pages after homework, the marketplace is global, your shop is open 24 / 7, and mom or dad handles the legal bits.

3. Freelance Your Talents on Fiverr

Fiverr requires sellers to be 18+, but teens 13–17 may work through a parent‑owned account (with guardian approval). Graphic design, voice‑overs, even Minecraft server set‑ups—if it’s a skill, it’s a gig. Charge in dollars, cash out in rands.

4. Print‑On‑Demand Merch Stores

No inventory, no shipping drama—upload art, collect royalties. Shopify’s 2025 guide lists print‑on‑demand (POD) as one of the year’s hottest low‑cost online businesses. Heads‑up: some POD hosts (e.g., Redbubble) restrict creators to 18+. Use teen‑friendly suppliers or sell through a parent’s account.

5. Mini‑Influencers & Affiliate Marketers

Shopify’s fresh‑off‑the‑press affiliate handbook shows that niche micro‑creators can earn 5‑30 % commission per sale, even with audiences under 10k. Choose brands you authentically like (sneakers, study apps, cruelty‑free skincare) and weave referral links into TikToks or Insta Reels.

CHECK OUT: Google Promises 300 000 Jobs in South Africa with R18 Billion Investment by 2030

6. Content Creation on TikTok & YouTube

TikTok Creator Rewards: lucrative RPMs but strictly 18+.Teens < 18 can still snag brand deals, live gifts, or drive affiliate sales.
YouTube: AdSense payouts must route through an adult if you’re under 18; live‑streaming solo now demands age 16+ (or an on‑camera adult).
Consistency beats virality—one thoughtful study vlog a week trumps fifty random dances.

7. Game Streaming on Twitch

Twitch welcomes streamers 13+ (again, parental supervision is a must for minors).Monetisation options: subscriber revenue, Bits, and brand sponsorships once you hit Affiliate status.

8. Homework Heroics: Online Tutoring

Studypool pays tutors to answer study questions—some top tutors top $7 500/month. If you aced Maths or Afrikaans, set up micro‑sessions after class. Under 18? Have a parent co‑sign and tackle age‑appropriate topics.

9. Sneaker, Snack & Thrift Flips

TikTok creator AJ Baron cleared $100/day selling snacks at school and flipping sneakers via Nike’s SNKRS app. Source low, sell high on Depop, Marketplace, or even in‑person pop‑ups—just follow campus rules.

10. Remote Micro‑Jobs & Customer Support

Job boards like Indeed currently list 20 + work‑from‑home roles suitable for teens—think data entry, social‑media UGC, or customer‑chat support. Most gigs start at $9–$15 an hour, and many provide training. Always verify that the employer accepts under‑18 candidates and get that guardian’s sign‑off.

Final Thoughts

Digital rand‑making isn’t child’s play; it’s a crash course in entrepreneurship, self‑discipline, and financial literacy. Keep detailed records for SARS, honour platform age limits, and involve a trusted adult in every transaction. Do that, and 2025 could be the year your allowance bows to your balance sheet.

Also read: Top 10 Best High Schools in Gauteng 2025