We’ve all been there: you look over your kid's shoulder and they are watching a video of someone else playing a game, or worse, a "Skibidi Toilet" compilation that makes your brain feel like it’s melting. It’s easy to label all screen time as "waste," but there is a massive fork in the road that happens around age 9 or 10.

On one side is the passive consumer. On the other is the digital entrepreneur.

Digital entrepreneurship for kids in 2026 is the modern equivalent of the lemonade stand, but with infinitely better scaling and significantly more complex math. When a kid asks for Robux, they’re asking for currency. When they ask how to earn Robux by making a shirt, they’re asking about profit margins, graphic design, and market demand.

Kids today don't just want to play games; they want to own the "vibe" of the digital spaces they inhabit. They see creators on YouTube and TikTok living what looks like a dream life. While we know the "influencer" path is a 1-in-a-million shot, the tools those influencers use are actually incredibly valuable for any future career.

They love it because it offers agency. In a world where kids have very little control over their physical lives (school, bedtime, broccoli), the digital economy allows them to build something from scratch and see if the world (or at least their friends) finds it "Ohio" (weird/bad) or "Sigma" (cool/successful).

Let’s get the big one out of the way. Roblox is essentially a "company town." Kids can create games using Roblox Studio or design "UGC" (User Generated Content) like hats and clothes.

Beyond just building houses, Minecraft allows kids to run their own servers. Running a server is basically a crash course in IT management and community moderation. If they use the Minecraft Marketplace, they can actually sell maps and skin packs.

Content creation is the most visible form of digital entrepreneurship. It teaches public speaking, video editing, and "the algorithm."

For the kid who is more "maker" than "gamer," Etsy is the gold standard. Whether it’s 3D-printed fidget toys or digital planners made in Canva, this platform teaches shipping, customer service, and SEO. (Note: They will need your ID to set this up).

If your kid is serious about starting a digital "business," these are the apps and sites that actually provide value rather than just taking it.

At this age, it’s all about value.

This is when they start wanting a YouTube channel or a Discord server.

Now we're talking about actual monetization.

Here is the part where I don't pull punches: Most kids will not make a dime.

In fact, many "digital entrepreneurship" paths for kids are designed to make the platform money, not the kid. Roblox is a prime example. They take a massive cut of every transaction.

However, the "failure" is the point.

Check out our guide on the hidden costs of being a kid creator

Instead of saying "Get off that game," try: "I see you're really into Roblox. Do you think the person who made this map is making money? How do you think they convinced you to play this instead of something else?"

Move the conversation toward systems. When they see a viral video, ask: "What was the 'hook' in the first 5 seconds? How did they edit that to keep you watching?"

You’re teaching them to see the "Matrix." Once they understand how the attention economy works, they are much less likely to be victimized by it.

Digital entrepreneurship is the ultimate "stealth learning" tool. It takes the things they already love—games, videos, and social connection—and adds a layer of responsibility and technical skill.

Will your kid be a millionaire by 16? Probably not. But will they know how to manage a project, edit a professional video, and understand the basics of a profit-and-loss statement? If you guide them correctly, absolutely. And honestly, that’s worth more than a few thousand Robux.

Take the Screenwise habit survey to see your family's digital context