“Hi! My name’s Sofia, and welcome to my YouTube channel!” A bubbly Sofia waves at the camera as the video begins. Sophomore Sofia Martin has been creating YouTube videos since fifth grade, and she continues to incorporate social media into her everyday life; whether it be making ‘internet friends’ or creating content for her loyal group of supporters on several platforms.With over 3,000 followers on Instagram, 2,000 subscribers on YouTube and videos with over 120,000 views, Sofia continues to grow her social media presence while dealing with the challenges that come with living in the midst of a typical teenager’s life in high school.

Interviewed by Ava Morouse
Q: How long have you been on YouTube? What made you start?
I started doing weekly uploads in seventh grade after a YouTuber named PewDiePie responded to a comment of mine. My channel gained a couple hundred subscribers, and that felt like a lot to me.

Q: YouTube-wise, who inspires you?
I’m really inspired by the YouTuber “IAMKARENO.” She makes these really amazing fashion lookbook videos, and I really love the filming [style] and the lighting that she uses … it’s just really beautiful and it’s very inspiring to me – it gives me ideas for what I want to do with some of my videos.

Q: How do you feel about attaining a ‘following’?
Well, I think I have a long ways to go with my following, because I’d say that it’s still pretty small compared to a lot of people I know … but I think it’s so mind-blowing to me that there are people who actually want to watch videos that I make! People will go out of their ways to message me… So that’s just, kind of, mind-blowing to me.

Q: What is your favorite part about social media? Least favorite?
My favorite part about social media is that you can make so many lasting friendships with people … and they can become life-long friends. There’s a lot of really interesting people on there that you can meet [who have] the same interests, and it’s so awesome. My least favorite part about social media is I’ve seen so many people have stuff go to their heads, especially when they’ll ‘blow up.’ I’ve had people I know go from five thousand followers to five hundred thousand followers in less than a year, and they become a totally different person. Especially because a lot of the “internet-famous” people are teenagers, they can become really fake …

Q: Do you ever interact with your followers? If so, what is the most memorable experience you’ve ever had doing that?
I haven’t really interacted with many of them in person, but I do online. I do live streams often … and I respond to almost every message and comment from people who support me.

Q: How has social media changed your life for the better?
It’s really changed some of the ideas that I’ve had for careers. I went from, when I was younger, wanting to be a doctor, to, now, I’m really interested in filming, producing and even social media stuff. I’ve also met a lot of cool people, and made a lot of really awesome friends.

Q: What message do you most hope that your followers attain through following you as a figure on social media?
A message that I’d like to spread is to be yourself, and you don’t have to try super hard to fit in. I used to do that a lot, and, it’s taken a while, but I’ve realized that you should always do what you want to do. Just be yourself, and don’t be somebody else for another person.

Q: Hopes and dreams for your social media legacy?
Well, I really hope that I can inspire other people, who are maybe nervous about starting a YouTube or just going out there and doing something. I hope that I can inspire some people to… take that step and be bold, and be themselves.