How to Make Money Online at a Young Age? Methods That Really Work – Not Just in Theory

Are you 13, 15, or 17 years old and want to start taking action but don’t have a business, connections, or a “million-dollar idea” right away? No problem. Today, the internet is a place where you can earn your first 50 zł, 300 zł, or even more – even if you’re just figuring out what excites you. This post is a concrete map for the young: what you can do, where, without bluffing and without wasting time.

You don’t need to be 18 or have a business to earn money online – just an idea and internet access

Many people still think that earning money online for young people is reserved for “adults with businesses and invoices.” Nonsense. These days, in the year you don’t need a business or to be of legal age to start. All you need to know is where you can legally operate as a minor, for example, through platforms such as RefSpace, affiliate services, TikTok, YouTube, or even Discord, which has become a new hub for young communities.

It’s not easy money for nothing, but if you have something to say, show, or recommend, you can start acting even at the age of 13–15. Of course, you have to follow the rules (e.g., the minimum age on TikTok is 13), but many platforms operate on a commission basis, not civil contracts. This means you can start creating value and monetizing it before anyone asks you for a NIP. Yes, earning money online at a young age today does not mean working “under the table” – it means consciously using digital opportunities.

Influencer from the “favorites” tab – how do young people build personal brands and earn real money?

The times when influencers were only “known from Instagram” are long gone. Today, young creators from TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or even newsletters and blogs are building mini personal brands which have greater value than just numbers in statistics. If you can showcase something unique, have style, knowledge, or even a strong voice on a particular issue – you can start gathering a community and then monetize it. The key is not “being famous” but being needed – in a specific topic, in a specific form, for a specific group of people.

Earning money online for young people doesn’t have to start with 10,000 followers. It’s better to have 200 people who trust you than 20,000 who only like your content because you edit videos amusingly. And that’s where something starts that could change your life forever.

How to start earning at a young age through the Internet? TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or where to enter the easiest

If you are just starting and don’t have your own community yet, the best move is short video formats. TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels are today the fastest route to organic reach, which can translate into the first earnings. Importantly, algorithms still promote new accounts, if the video material has quality, energy, and a good story.

On TikTok, you can post a video with a product recommendation and add an affiliate link – for example, through RefSpace or TikTok Shop. On YouTube, even 60-second videos can earn through the Shorts Fund (yes, it’s real money, not loyalty points). And Instagram? It still works, but better as an extension of reach – a place where you can maintain contact with those who already recognize you.

Before you start wondering how to make money at a young age online, check which platform you feel natural on. Some speak better, others edit, and still others have a good voice or writing style. The choice of channel is not a matter of trend, but about where your form of communication does the job.

How to make money at a young age online without reach? Affiliate marketing, game testing, and e-book sales as a start

Not everyone wants to be in front of the camera, and not everyone feels like “creating content.” Fortunately, the internet offers options that don’t require either a face or reach. A good example is affiliate marketing – promoting products with a link that gives you a commission for each sale. You can post it in a comment, bio, or newsletter, if you have a few dozen friends who trust your recommendation.

Another option is game and app testing. Services like Testerzy.pl, PlaytestCloud, or Appen allow you to earn real money for feedback – sometimes even 10–30 PLN for one session. You can also create your own e-books – e.g., a Minecraft guide, a planner for students, a mini-course “how to make a mood board for a school presentation” – and sell them through platforms like RefSpace, which don’t require you to have a company.

These are great solutions if you’re wondering how to start earning at a young age through the Internet, but don’t want to dive straight into content creation or community building. You don’t always have to be an influencer. Sometimes it’s enough to be clever, quick, and ready to try something new.

Money from the Internet doesn’t fall from the sky – how much can you realistically earn at the beginning?

The Internet offers opportunities, but it is not a cash machine. If you expect to earn thousands within a week, you’ll be disappointed. Initially, most young people earn several dozen to several hundred PLN per month – but that’s exactly where bigger things begin. 

The best results are seen by those who work regularly and test different earning models – from affiliate marketing to their own products. If you combine, for instance, TikTok with a link to a Space where you promote a planner, stylings, or a PDF with graduation exam tasks, you might pull in the first 200–300 PLN faster than you’d think.

It’s not about getting stressed, it’s about seeing that the internet can really start “giving” – but first, you have to give something of yourself. And how to make money at a young age through the Internet doesn’t start with one recipe, but with an attempt.

Authenticity, Regularity, Quality – Even the Best Idea Won’t Succeed Without Them

You can have a great idea, but if you post something only every two weeks and do it without conviction—reach and revenue won’t come. The internet likes regularity and senses authenticity. If it’s noticeable that you care, that you’re engaged, that you have energy—people notice it. It works for both the audience and the algorithms.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about doing something seriously—even if it’s just testing ideas. A phone video, an e-book made with Canva, a post written on the fly—everything is fine if there’s something of yours in it. In 2025, “professionalism” isn’t about camera quality, but the quality of thought and message.

Earning online is a marathon, not a sprint. But if you do something meaningfully, even small things—like a planner, a review, DIY video—can eventually build reach, community, and income.

RefSpace – A Way to Earn Online Without Stress, Even If You’re Just Starting

RefSpace was created precisely for people like you—young individuals who want to accomplish something but don’t yet know how to tackle all the logistics, technicalities, or formalities. The platform allows you to create your own Space—something like an online store—and promote products: others’, yours, or a mix. You can have zero followers and still earn because every purchase through your link earns you a commission, which you see in the dashboard.

Most importantly, you don’t need a company, a business account, or contact with clients. RefSpace handles everything for you: payments, product access, even settlements. And you can test ideas, check if something “catches on”, and gather initial results. If you already have a community—it works even better. If you don’t—you can still start.

This is precisely the answer to the question of how to earn at a young age via the internet without having a background, contacts, or being 18 years old. Got an idea? Take action. The rest is on the platform’s side.