Status in a Bottle: Understanding the Logan Paul 'Prime' Phenomenon
TL;DR
- The Hype: Prime isn't about thirst; it's a status symbol driven by Logan Paul and KSI.
- The Danger: Prime Energy (the cans) has 200mg of caffeine—way too much for kids. Prime Hydration (the bottles) is caffeine-free but currently facing 2025 lawsuits over "forever chemicals" (PFAS).
- The Verdict: If they must have it, stick to the bottles, but treat it like a rare collectible, not a health drink.
- Alternatives: If your kid just wants to feel "cool," check out our guide on healthy alternatives to Prime.
Prime is a beverage brand launched by two of the biggest names on YouTube: Logan Paul and KSI. What started as a hydration drink has ballooned into a multi-billion dollar empire that includes energy drinks and even a pre-packaged meal kit called Lunchly (a direct competitor to Lunchables).
There are two main products you’ll see in your kid's backpack:
- Prime Hydration: Sold in plastic bottles. It’s marketed as a sports drink with coconut water and electrolytes. It contains no caffeine.
- Prime Energy: Sold in 12oz cans. This is the one that makes doctors nervous. It contains 200mg of caffeine—the equivalent of about six cans of Coke or two Red Bulls.
Ask our chatbot for a breakdown of caffeine limits by age
If you’ve seen your kid treat an empty plastic bottle like a prized trophy, you aren’t alone. To a 10-year-old, Prime isn't a drink; it’s a membership card to a specific corner of the internet.
The obsession is driven entirely by the "Influencer Economy." Logan Paul and KSI spent years as bitter rivals before teaming up to launch Prime. For kids who spend hours on TikTok or watching YouTube Shorts, seeing these two together is like seeing the Avengers assemble.
It’s also about scarcity. Prime mastered the "drop" culture usually reserved for sneakers. Limited edition flavors like "Glowberry" or "Central Cee" create a frenzy where kids feel they need to find the latest bottle to stay relevant in the Roblox chat or on the playground.
As we move through 2025, the "cool factor" of Prime is being hit by some pretty serious legal and health-related headwinds.
The PFAS Controversy
The biggest headline right now involves class-action lawsuits alleging that Prime Hydration contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called "forever chemicals." These are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment or the human body and have been linked to various health issues. While the company denies these claims, the optics aren't great for a brand marketed as "healthy hydration."
Misleading Marketing
There is also ongoing scrutiny regarding how Prime Energy is marketed. Even though the cans are labeled "18+," the branding is nearly identical to the "Hydration" bottles, which are heavily promoted to young children on Instagram and YouTube. In many grocery stores, they are shelved right next to each other, making it incredibly easy for a kid (or a well-meaning grandparent) to grab the wrong one.
Check out our guide on how to spot deceptive marketing in influencer content
Ages 5-11: The "Status" Phase
At this age, it’s all about the bottle. Kids want to be seen with the bright colors.
- Recommendation: If you allow it, stick strictly to the Hydration bottles. Treat it like a soda or a treat—it’s high in potassium but low in the actual sodium athletes need after a game.
- The "Brain Rot" Connection: This age group is susceptible to the "Ohio" and "Skibidi" meme culture often found in the comments of Logan Paul's videos.
Ages 12-15: The Energy Temptation
Middle schoolers are the primary target for the "Energy" cans. They see their favorite creators drinking them while playing Fortnite or Valorant and think they need that "edge."
- Recommendation: Hard no on the Energy cans. The American Academy of Pediatrics is pretty clear: there is no proven safe dose of caffeine for children and adolescents.
Ages 16+: The Personal Choice
By this age, they’re likely buying their own drinks. This is a good time to talk about the economics of the brand. Is a $4 bottle of flavored water actually better than a $1 Gatorade, or are they just paying for Logan Paul's next mansion?
You can't talk about Prime without talking about the man behind it. Logan Paul is a polarizing figure. He rose to fame on Vine, moved to YouTube, and has faced numerous "cancellations"—most notably for a 2017 video in Japan’s "suicide forest."
Since then, he has rebranded himself as a professional wrestler in the WWE and a "serious" businessman. However, his content often leans into "disruptor" territory—loud, prank-heavy, and occasionally bordering on the "toxic masculinity" vibe that parents of boys often worry about.
If your kid is a fan, it’s worth watching a few of his videos together. He isn't "unwatchable" in the way some brain-rot content is, but he is definitely selling a lifestyle of excess and bravado.
Learn more about the influence of creators like Logan Paul and MrBeast
Instead of just saying "that stuff is garbage," try to turn it into a conversation about media literacy and health.
- "What do you like about it?" Usually, the answer is "everyone has it" or "the flavor is fire." Acknowledge the social pressure.
- "Do you know the difference between the bottle and the can?" This is a safety essential. Make sure they know the can is "adult juice" that can cause heart palpitations in kids.
- "Let's look at the label." Compare a bottle of Prime to a glass of water or a Gatorade. Talk about the "forever chemicals" lawsuit in a way that isn't scary, but informative. "People are worried there's stuff in here that shouldn't be in our bodies."
Prime is a masterclass in marketing, not nutrition. It’s the 2026 version of a Pet Rock or a Fidget Spinner, except you drink it.
While the Hydration drink isn't necessarily "poison," the current lawsuits regarding PFAS and the extreme caffeine levels in the Energy line should give any parent pause. If your kid is obsessed, let them have the occasional bottle for the "clout," but don't let it become their primary source of hydration.
And maybe remind them that drinking a specific brand of water doesn't actually give them "rizz."
- Audit the Pantry: Check if any "Prime Energy" cans have snuck into the house.
- Set the Boundary: If you’re okay with the bottles but not the cans, make that distinction clear before the next trip to 7-Eleven.
- Explore Better Options: Check out our guide on the best sports drinks for young athletes to find options that actually help with recovery without the influencer tax.
Ask our chatbot for a script on how to say no to Prime Energy