If you’re a teen looking to make money around your busy schedule, I have some good news for you. There are hundreds of online side hustles for teens to make money in his or her spare time. Between school, homework and extracurricular activities, it might be difficult to find time to do anything else. However, there are tons of flexible side jobs out there that work with your schedule – you just need to know where to look!
In this article, I’ve listed the top online side hustles for teens based on their convenience, flexibility and earning potential. There’s no shortage of great online side hustles for you to start today. If you’re looking for the best ways how to make money online for teens, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on to learn about the best online side hustles for teens.
Is It Legal for a Teen to Start a Side Hustle?
Is it legal for a teenager to work a side hustle? Absolutely. Just be sure to make sure you’re remitting any taxes to your government. Additionally, many jobs for under 18 year olds are limited and require parental consent. For example, most paid online market research sites require you to be a certain age – usually 16 or older. If you’re not old enough, ask your mom or dad to create an account for you and help you participate in paid opportunities on your behalf.
How can a teenager make money online legally? Here are the four best ways a teen can make some extra cash which I’ll touch on in this article:
- Paid market research studies
- Online tutoring
- Selling digital products online (prints and photography)
- Selling clothing on Facebook Marketpalce
Why You Should Consider an Online Side Hustle as A Teen
There are many reasons you should consider taking up an online side hustle. Here are the top four reasons you should find work online while you’re still a teen.
Reason #1: Save Time Spent Commuting to a Job
One of the top reasons why you should consider an online side hustle: the commute – or rather, lack of it. When you work online, you can work from almost anywhere! The backyard on a sunny day? Sounds great! The local coffee shop – why not get some work done and enjoy a cup of joe while you’re at it? Side hustles for teens aren’t limited to working at the local mall, so take advantage of the location flexibility!
Reason #2: Gain Valuable Hard and Soft Skills
Online jobs for teenagers not only provide extra income, but they help you gain many different skills that you’ll be able to use for life. Depending on the gig, you’ll learn various hard skills such as operating a laptop, using Zoom, sharpening your graphic design skills and improving your typing speed. Additionally, you’ll learn soft skills like interacting with people and time management.
Reason #3: Learn Financial Management Skills
Taking up a side hustle doesn’t just mean that you’ll learn a ton of stuff and make some cash. You’ll need to learn what to do with that money! Of course, the most obvious answer is to spend it on stuff you want. Hold on a minute – there are many different things you can do with your hard-earned coin.
Why not start early on a college savings account? Even a hundred dollars a month can help you in your future, especially if you invest it or put it in a savings account. Ask your parents to open a bank account for you and get in touch with their financial advisor to see which options you have as a teen. Of course, when you earn money, you should enjoy some of it as well. In addition to a savings account for college or other future goals, create a separate account for fun stuff – like buying a new tablet or skateboard. Again, if you’re feeling lost, ask your parents for help.
Reason #4: Become Motivated to Succeed in Life
Having a part-time online side hustle doesn’t just help you earn skills and make some cash. When you take on responsibilities from an early age, you’ll learn hard work and what it takes to make money. Don’t love your job? That’s ok! When you do jobs you don’t enjoy, you’ll appreciate the work you do enjoy. Additionally, working difficult jobs may motivate you to continue your education and develop technical skills so you can open more doors in the future.
The Best Online Side Hustle for Teens to Make $100+ An Hour – Paid Market Research Studies
Side hustles for teens online aren’t limited to regular, waged employment. Paid online market research studies are one of the best ways to make some extra money when you’re free. In my opinion, this side hustle is one of the best ways for teens to make money. Why? Easy – studies are flexible and many pay a relatively high amount – some exceeding $100 per hour.
But what are paid studies? Paid market research studies are interviews between a researcher from a company or business and a participant within the target demographic of the product or service they’re looking for feedback on. For example, if a candy company wants feedback on the new version of their chocolate bar from teens and you are a teenager, you’re a perfect fit!
To participate in online research studies as with the companies we’ll discuss in a minute, you’ll apply on the researcher’s website. If you’re chosen for an interview, you’ll pick a time that works for both you and the researcher to meet. While being interviewed, the researcher will ask you about yourself, your interests and your feelings and services about the product they’re working on. Additionally, if they’re looking for feedback on a product, they may ask you to do a live demo of a prototype they’re working on. This is generally more common if you’re testing out an app or software.
To participate on most online platforms, you’ll need to be at least 16. If you’re under 16, ask your parents to sign up on your behalf.
What Equipment Do I Need to Participate in Online Studies?
Before you decide to sign up for and participate in paid market research studies, you’ll need to ensure that you have access to the following:
- Good laptop or computer with a working camera and microphone for video and phone calls
- Strong and reliable internet connection
- A quiet space to take calls in such as a home office with the door closed
Here are the best platforms where teens can make extra cash by participating inn paid online research studies.
1. Respondent
One of the top paid market research platforms, you can make up to $500 per hour on the Respondent website. Even on the lower end, studies pay between $25-50 USD for 30 minute studies and short surveys. Respondent hosts mostly online studies, but they sometimes offer offline studies. In-person studies are generally available in areas with a higher population – for example, big cities and their surrounding area.
How to Sign Up for Respondent
To sign up with Respondent you’ll first need to create an account and verify your details. After you’ve done this, complete the survey asking you details like your age, education and hobbies. Try and fill in the survey as much as possible. The more accurate your responses, the better companies will be able to match you with studies – which potentially means more money for you!
One important note: many paid studies on Respondent are industry-specific, which means you’ll need to be working in a specific field like education or IT and verify your work email. If you’re a teen, you’ll be too young to qualify for these studies. Don’t let that stop you from signing up – there are still many different studies available regardless of your situation!
Once you see a study you think you’d be a good fit for, fill out the survey. If you fit the researcher’s profile and there are still enough interview slots left, the researcher will send you a study invitation. Studies fill up on a first-come, first-serve basis so try to sign up as quickly as possible. If you want the first chance at studies, keep your browser tab open on your computer and ensure you’re receiving push notifications on your phone.
While you don’t get paid to fill out the survey screeners, the potential payout is well worth it. $100 for an hour of your time if you’re selected for a study? Sign me up!
2. User Interviews
Besides Respondent, another fantastic option for paid online studies: the User Interviews platform!
User Interviews hosts four main types of studies:
- One-on-One Interviews: researchers will interview with you and potentially other members of their team. They may just interview you, or you may also be asked to do a demo walkthrough of a prototype they’re working on.
- Multi-Day Studies: interviewers will host you for 2 or more sessions, sometimes up to 4 sessions.
- Focus Groups: you’ll be on a video call with up to 8 other participants and you’ll take turns sharing your feedback.
- Unmoderated tasks: User Interviews occasionally offers short surveys and quick tasks that pay from $10-25 USD per session.
Want to get started? Complete your User Interviews profile, verify your account and apply to studies daily. For the highest chance of consistent study invitations, apply multiple times per day and keep email notifications turned on.
UserTesting
Aside from Respondent and User Interviews, UserTesting is another one of the best online side hustles for teens. UserTesting is a platform where participants test out new websites or apps companies are working on. As studies need to be done as soon as you qualify, this platform is a great option for those already on their computer and can work distraction-free. If you need a homework break, it’s a great way to make a few extra dollars! Typically, you’ll record your screen and your voice. Researchers want to see your live experience walking through the prototype and hear your honest feedback about how you feel.
How Much do UserTesting Studies Pay?
There are two types of studies on UserTesting. The most common study is $10 tests that typically take 10-20 minutes to complete. UserTesting also occasionally offers shorter tests that pay $3-5 USD and take around 5-10 minutes to complete.
When you do a study, follow all instructions thoroughly. If your voice is recorded, speak clearly and slowly. Don’t be afriad to give your honest feedback (while remaining polite!) Companies spend lots of money on their products and services and want honest feedback so they can keep improving.
How to Receive Study Invitations and Participate in UserTesting
After signing up, keep your browser tab open and wait for notifications. Keep your sound on so you can hear the bell noise. Only apply to studies if you can immediately complete the test. If you can’t, hit ‘Decline’ button. If don’t complete the study, do it in a noisy environment or fully follow instructions, you could get a low rating (companies rate participants’ feedback from 1-5). Low ratings will impact your ability to receive future study invites.
UserTesting Live Interviews
While the vast majority of UserTesting studies involve unmoderated tests or surveys, UserTesting occasionally offers video interviews similar to Respondent and User Interviews. If you apply for and are selected for a study, you’ll immediately be able to schedule a video call at a mutually convenient time. Live interviews typically pay $30 USD for 30 minutes and $60 USD for an hour.
How Do I Get Paid on UserTesting?
After completing a UserTesting study, your recording will upload to the website’s platform. The payment will pend for 7 days. After the funds will be deposited into your PayPal account. If researchers aren’t happy with the quality of your study, they can request to rescind your payment and can give you a low rating. Again, always try your best – and always be honest when applying for studies!
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Paid Online Surveys
In addition to market research studies and paid online jobs for teenagers such as tutoring gigs, consider surveys. Paid online surveys are another one of the best online side hustles for teens due to their flexibility and the amount of studies available at any given moment. With many survey platforms, you won’t receive cash, but you can cash out points for gift cards – just as good! Here are the top platforms, chosen due to the amount of surveys available and the amount of ways you can cash out rewards:
Surveys don’t pay a ton of money, but they’re one of the top easy side hustles for teens. Why? Studies are available all the time and you can do them whenever you’re free. Unlike paid market research studies, you don’t have to coordinate a time to meet with the researcher.
Online Tutoring – One of the Best Online Side Hustles for Patient and Encouraging Teens
Are you talented at a subject and like helping others? Online tutoring could be a perfect you! This is one of the best online side hustles for teens due to:
- Flexibility with your busy schedule
- Ability to charge your own rate
- Freedom to choose your own students
To succeed at online tutoring, you’ll need to be patient, flexible and encouraging. Students often struggle with the subject material and you’ll need to offer support. Additionally, students may need you to reschedule classes or cancel altogether. This may be frustrating for you, so be sure to create some policies. For example, ask for upfront payment for the first few classes and only allow students to reschedule or cancel without payment more than 48 hours in advance.
What are the Best Online Tutoring Platforms?
There are online tutoring platforms – for example, Cambly, Fiverr and Preply. These are excellent options if you want to save time sourcing students – most of these platforms provide you with students. These platforms are great if you want to spend less time sourcing students as they will find students for you. However, these platforms charge high commission rates (fees), which will eat into your hourly rate.
Using Facebook Marketplace to Advertise Tutoring Services
How can you offer online tutoring without paying high commission fees? Facebook Marketplace is the best platform for this. Post ads offering Zoom tutoring sessions.
Tips on getting and retaining clients: charge $5 for the first lesson and offer group lessons. This way, if you have a group of 3 or 4 but 1 or 2 students cancel at the last minute, you’ll still run the class. Again, be sure to create some policies to make sure you get paid and your students respect your time. If you need help, ask your mom or dad.
Sell Digital Products Online – Best Online Side Hustle for Teens Who Are Creative
If none of the side hustles for teenagers listed above speak to you, why not consider a more creative avenue – selling your own art? Selling digital products online is another fantastic way to make money online as a teen. There is a lot of initial work with getting a digital products business set up. However, once you create a solid marketing strategy and have some quality, in-demand products to sell, this can be a great source of passive income. Perfect if you’re busy with volleyball practice and final exams!
Selling Canva Templates
If you want to sell Canva templates online, you’ll need to sign up for a few things:
- Canva account – FREE. The Pro account costs $12.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Canva Pro is the best option. It has tens of thousands of watermark-free free images and templates for you to use.
- WordPress site – if you want to sell your products on your own website, a domain and WordPress site costs around $10 per month. Alternatively you can sell your products on Etsy
- Advertising costs – market your products using Instagram or Facebook ads. Want a free option? Set up some Pinterest pins. Traffic can take a while to build up, but you can speed this up by creating pins consistently and applying to and joining boards where you post your pins regularly.
Sell Your Photography – An Online Side Hustle for Teens with a Creative Strek
If you are creative and love taking photos of people, places or other things, why not sell your works online? You can upload your designs to Getty Images, iStock or Unsplash. Alternatively, you can create and Etsy shop. Jobs for teens from home aren’t limited to working for an hourly wage. When you create and sell prints, you’re generating passive income – money you make without actively working for it. While it takes a lot of upfront work, there are many teens making money online from selling their art – if they can do it, why can’t you?
Sell Your Clothing on Facebook Marketplace – One of the Best Online Side Hustles for Teens with Limited Time
If you have a closet full of old clothes you simply no longer wear – or no longer fit you, why not try selling them on Facebook Marketplace. You’d be surprised about who wants your old white suede shoes from when you were eight years old! This side hustle is great because it doesn’t take a lot of time to post clothing ads. All you need to do is take photos and create descriptions. Next, all you have to do is wait for someone who is interested in your item(s) of clothing to contact you!
Conclusion – Top Online Side Hustles for Teens
There are tons of good side hustles for teens to make extra cash without having to leave the comfort of your own home. From paid online market research studies, selling your art online and selling old clothing, choose a side hustle that works best for you. If you have time, why not try more than one side hustle out? The best side hustles for teen are flexible, something you enjoy and can be worked with your busy schedule, so take your time to find one that works best for you.
When you undertake an online side hustle, you’ll not only make extra cash, but you’ll learn tons of skills you’ll have for the rest of your life!
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Janita is a frugal living expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance. With over five years of personal experience finding and trying out the best ways to make and save more money, she's eager to share her knowledge. Janita's strategies have helped her save thousands of dollars for funding investments and traveling to over 20 countries.
Janita completed training in personal finance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University, two prestigious Canadian universities. Her expertise has been shared on GoBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, and NASDAQ.com.
