Why Online Jobs are Perfect for Teens
Being 15 years old isn’t easy, and many teenagers want to start having financial independence from their parents. It’s not easy to find a job as teenage due to school and homework, and as parents, it is a scary new world letting your teens go.
But helping your teen find a job can offer more than just pocket money—it’s an opportunity for them to grow, take responsibility, and gain some independence.
There are a lot of flexible working online options that mean your teen can work from home, and you can still keep an eye on them.
How Many Hours Can A 15-Year-Old Work in the UK
In the UK, the working hours for 15-year-olds are regulated to ensure that they balance work with their education and leisure time. According to government guidelines, a 15-year-old can work a maximum of 12 hours per week during term time. This is broken down into a maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays, and up to 5 hours on Saturdays.
During school holidays, the regulations are more flexible. A 15-year-old can work up to 35 hours per week, but they must still adhere to daily limits: no more than 8 hours on any given day. It’s important for young workers and their employers to be aware of these regulations to ensure compliance with child employment laws.
Additionally, all working hours must fall within certain times; typically, young people cannot work before 7 am or after 7 pm. These rules are in place not only to protect young workers but also to promote their well-being by allowing ample time for rest and study.
Please keep up to date on the rules by look at the Government website here.
15-Year-Old Working Laws in the UK
Employers must obtain a child employment permit from the local council if they wish to employ someone under the age of 16. This permits ensures that all legal requirements are met and that the welfare of young employees is prioritised. Understanding these regulations is crucial for both employers and young workers alike, as it fosters a safe and supportive working environment while promoting responsible employment practices.
Self-employment at this age is permitted; however, it typically requires parental consent and adherence to local council regulations regarding youth employment. Young self-employed individuals must also be aware of health and safety laws relevant to their chosen field of work.
Additionally, while self-employed teenagers do not have the same rights as employees regarding minimum wage or holiday pay under certain circumstances, they should still ensure that they are fairly compensated for their services. Understanding these laws is crucial for both young workers and parents as they navigate the world of self-employment in a responsible manner.
How to help your 15 year old get a job
If your teenager is looking to earn money the more tradtional way, like getting a babysitting job or a paper round then it is best to get a cover letter and Cv together. Make sure you add any experience and this could mean from local clubs you’ve been to or school clubs etc.
Seach the company and then come up with a few interview questions. They could ask you about the company or what your weaknesses are.
Don’t worry to much about this as many jobs for teenagers just want to see what your child is like. Are they chatty and good with customers or can they deliver on time when they are meant to etc.
If you are looking for more online job ideas then have a look at:
101 Genuine Work From Home Jobs in the UK – This is our biggest list of work from home jobs that you can do as a mum. Some do require experience but many can use your transferable skills.
How I can Afford to be a Stay at Home Mum – If you dream of being a stay at home mum then read our post here on how we can afford it. We are not rich, but we work really hard to save the money we have.
21 Online Work From Home Ideas – These are the best online work ideas that you can use if you want to set up a business or work from home. We do most of these ourselves or have tried them out first.
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What Jobs Can A 15 Year Old Do
There are so many jobs a 15 year old teenager can do. They have so many skills that they can earn money from.
1. Virtual Tutoring: Share Your Knowledge and Earn (13+)
As education increasingly shifts online, virtual tutoring has opened up new pathways for teenagers, both as learners and as budding educators.
If your teen has an interest in helping students, start by talking to a few parents as it is a lot easier to get jobs from word of mouth. If your teenager has a strong skill in a subject, then they can help coach another student. Many teens would prefer a peer to teach them then an adult. It makes sense as they will relate to each other better.
There is no offical going rate for tutoring but you should ask for at least the working wage to make it worth your teens time.
If your teenager is happy to tutor children outside of their area then there are online sites that can help to advertise them. We have used Fiverr in the past as the age is 13 plus but tehre are other more direct sites that are 16 plus. One popular site is Superprof, which has a minimum age requirement of 16. We have used it oursevles as adults but do not know any teens who have had sucess with it yet.
Remember that your teen can coach soemone in anything, and it doesn’t have to be educational. It can be in football, dance or chess. Whatever your teen is good at.
2. Freelance Writing: Turn Your Passion for Words into Cash (13+)
If you have a teenager with a flair for words, a love of stories, or simply enjoy crafting engaging content, there’s good news: the world of online writing offers tons of opportunities, even for young creators. Whether you’re interested in blogging, freelance writing, content creation, or social media, there are many ways to start building your portfolio and even earning some cash.
Freelance writing is a flexible way to work as a teen writer, where you can choose projects that interest you, build your skills, and earn income. Many platforms allow teenagers to find work, though age requirements may vary.
The best way to start is using the content mills like People per Hour or Fiverr to start. These are very low level pay rates but give you an idea on what people are looking for.
You could also start by writing your own blog. This has a little start up cost but then is really simple to run. You can make money with anything from affilates to putting ads on your website.
Read more about How to Start a Blog in the UK here.
3. Online Surveys: Get Paid for Your Opinion! (13+)
When it comes to earning a bit of extra pocket money, your teenager can find numerous opportunities through online surveys. These platforms not only allow young individuals to share their opinions but also provide a flexible way to engage in market research jobs from the comfort of their homes.
One of the best options for teenagers is sponsored surveys, which often offer higher rewards for participation. These surveys are typically commissioned by companies seeking feedback on their products or services and can be an excellent way for teens to contribute to real-world market research while earning rewards.
Additionally, many survey sites offer easy online tasks that go beyond traditional surveys, such as watching videos or testing products. These activities can be particularly appealing to teenagers looking for varied ways to earn money online. By exploring reputable survey platforms, teens can find engaging opportunities that fit into their schedules and interests, making it a worthwhile venture in the digital age.
Our favourites are:
– Oh My Dosh: OhMyDosh is a survey site and cashback site combined. You can make money by answering their surveys which then goes into your account as credit. When you have reached the limit you can cash out. Surveys can range from anything from watching videos to answering questions about what you last brought online. We use OhMyDosh a lot as it’s really easy to use while out and about. The per survey threshold is low but the payout is £10 and that shouldn’t take too long to get too. Payout can be made through PayPal.
Join OhMyDosh* here and get a free £1 added to your account.
Read more about what we think of OhMyDosh and how it works here.
– Swagbucks: We love Swagbucks! There are loads of tasks available and you can earn money from answering questions or watching videos. The surveys are short so you can do them on the move pretty easy. Payout is via PayPal or Amazon gift card.
Join Swagbucks for free here*.
– YouGov: YouGov is a great place to answer questions on today’s problems. The surveys normally involve your view on large companies, the government or your local council. You only need 5000 points to cash out which is £50.
They are really interesting surveys to complete and they do email you every time they have one to complete.
Use our link here to sign up free to YouGov*
Read more about our favourite survey sites here.
4. Social Media Management: Help Brands Shine Online (13+)
Social media management has emerged as a viable job opportunity for teenagers, providing them with the chance to leverage their social media skills in a professional context. With the widespread use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, many young people are already adept at navigating these environments, making them well-suited to manage accounts for businesses or individuals.
In this role, teenagers can gain valuable experience in content creation for social media. This includes crafting engaging posts, designing eye-catching graphics, and understanding the nuances of audience engagement. By managing accounts effectively, they not only enhance their organisational skills but also learn about analytics and how to measure the success of their strategies.
Moreover, social media management encourages creativity and innovation. Teenagers can experiment with different types of content—be it videos, stories or polls—to see what resonates best with audiences. This hands-on experience can be incredibly beneficial as they build a portfolio that showcases their capabilities in an increasingly digital world. Overall, pursuing social media management offers teenagers a unique opportunity to develop essential skills while exploring potential career paths in marketing and communications.
Doing this as a job can be tricky but you can set your teenager up with an account and keep an eye on it. This way, they can use it as a portfolio to get their own clients.
5. Graphic Design: Showcase Your Creative Flair! (13+)
Graphic design is more accessible than ever, especially for teens looking to break into creative fields. With an eye for design, a bit of determination, and the right resources, your teen can start landing graphic design gigs that build their experience, confidence, and portfolio—all before they even leave school!
Like above, it is best to start by using the content mills to gain expereince and get some references behind you. A lot of these jobs come from word of mouth and good reviews.
6. Data Entry: Simple Tasks with Flexible Hours (13+)
There are so many data entry gigs on the content mill sites from sorting out excel data to entering data into a content management system. These may seem boring, but they pay ok per hour and can get you some reviews that help push you up the rankings.
If your teen is good at numbers or spreadsheets, then that is a skill that business owners need.
7. YouTube Content Creation: Start Your Own Channel!
You can easily set up a YouTube channel for your teenager for them to start making money. This is a slow burner though as you do not start getting paid through ads till you reach 1000 views and a set number of subscribers.
You can post about anything though so have your teenager think about what they enjoy doing. It could be make-up tutorials, gaming or making money advice.
If they do like gaming then Discord is another great way to make money through streaming your games online.
8. Selling Handmade Crafts or Products on Etsy (16+)
We lobe Etsy as it is such an easy way to make money online. If your teenager is creative and loves craft then seeing their handmade items on Etsy is a great idea.
You can sell anything from home printed t-shirts to jewellery to cups and art work. It just has to be unique to you. Have a sit down with your teen and decide what you are going to sell and start making it. Remember to add in delivery costs though.
9. Customer Service Representative: Help Others While Earning Money! (16+)
Is your teenager looking for a rewarding job where they can make a difference in people’s lives, work flexible hours, or do it all from home? Becoming a customer service representative could be the perfect opportunity, especially if you’re child is 16 or older and looking for a job with growth potential. Customer support roles are in high demand, with opportunities for both part-time and full-time work.
Have a look on Indeed for remote customer support roles and filter by home working. Your teenager will need good communication skills as many of these roles are done over the phone.
Related Posts:
- The Best 29 Money Making Apps in the UK
- The Best Cashback Sites to Save £100s When Shopping Online
- How to Make Money Fast
10. Affiliate Marketing: Promote Products You Love! (13+)
Affiliate marketing is when you sell something on behalf of someone else and you get a commission. You advertise someone else’s products and services and when someone buys, you receive a small percentage.
There’s a lot of affiliate programs out there, so whatever your teen is interested in, you’ll be able to find a scheme for it. It does take a while to build but affiliate marketing is a great passive income earner meaning you only have to set it up once and you’ll keep receiving income.
This is best done if your teen has already got an audeince online or a following somewhere.
Remember to research the rules on declaring the links.
11. Listening to music through online platforms (13+)
If your teen is just looking for a small gig that they can do while out and about, have a look at Slice The Pie. After sign up, your teen can listen to new artists and give feedback on what they think. They won’t be listening to big names as this is for smaller artists to get feedback on their music.
They will only get paid a few pence per review but it does build up as your reviwer rater builds as well.
Advice for making money online as a teenager
We hope that this list will help your teenager to make money online.
Please remeber that some of these sites may been a parent or guardian to approve your sign up or you may need them to have a PayPal account (over 18 account) for money to be paid into.
The best way for your teen to make money is to do as many things as once. These could be online or in real life, like babysitting or dog walking.
If your teenager is very serious about earning money, then setting up one of the slow earners like blogging or social media is a great way to build a business for the future.
They won’t pay out straight away but they will help to build income in the future.
Laura xIf you enjoyed this post and would like some more money making ideas from home, including ways to freelance, start a blog or even earn from your phone, then head over to my making money section here on Savings 4 Savvy Mums where you’ll find over 30 money making posts dedicated to helping you earn more from home and become more financially stable as a family. There’s also tips in my Money Saving Mums Facebook group. You could also pop over and follow my money making Pinterest boards for lots more ways you can earn money from home; Money Making Mums and Working from Home Jobs for Mums.
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