What Parents Need to Know About MrBeast

Has your child been talking about MrBeast? Maybe you've overheard the name or caught a glimpse of a video where someone’s giving away piles of cash, buying every item in a store, or building something completely over the top. That someone is likely MrBeast—one of the most-watched YouTubers in the world and a powerful presence in many children’s digital lives.

Who is MrBeast really? What kind of messages is he sending? And how can you tell if his videos are right for your child?

This guide will walk you through the basics—who he is, what he does, why kids love him, and what to keep an eye on—so you can feel more informed and better prepared to support your child’s internet time choices.

Who Is MrBeast?

MrBeast is the online name of Jimmy Donaldson, a 26-year-old YouTuber from the United States. He’s one of the most famous content creators in the world, with over 412 million subscribers on YouTube alone at the time this article was written. He’s also hugely popular on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.

Jimmy first got noticed years ago with a simple video where he counted to 100,000 on camera. It went viral—and from there, everything changed.

Today, his videos are anything but simple. MrBeast is best known for creating over-the-top YouTube challenges, giving away enormous prizes (sometimes millions of dollars), and filming stunts that range from exciting to downright outrageous. One of his most viewed videos—“$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!”—has been watched over 830 million times.

But there’s more to him than just big numbers. MrBeast has used his fame to launch businesses like MrBeast Burgers and Feastables, a snack brand aimed at kids and teens. He also puts a spotlight on good causes, raising money and awareness through projects like Team Trees (planting millions of trees) and Team Seas (removing trash from oceans and rivers).

While his content has evolved over the years—from early gaming videos to polished, high-budget productions—his style remains fast, loud, and designed to keep viewers watching.

You can find MrBeast on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Threads.

What Kind of Content Does MrBeast Make?

MrBeast is known for creating big, attention-grabbing videos. Most of his content is built around large challenges, unusual stunts, and surprising giveaways.

A typical video might involve dozens of people competing for a large prize—sometimes even a house, a car, or a piece of land. Other videos focus on acts of kindness, such as helping families in need or donating food to communities. Some are just for fun, featuring wild experiments or unexpected twists.

He runs multiple YouTube channels, each with a different focus:

MrBeast (main channel): This is where you'll find his most well-known videos—large-scale competitions, giveaways, and stunts.
Beast Philanthropy: A channel focused on charity work and giving back to others, often showing behind-the-scenes efforts to help people or causes.
MrBeast Gaming: A space where he and his team play video games and create gaming-related challenges.
Beast Reacts: A reaction channel where he watches and comments on interesting or unusual internet content.
MrBeast 2: A more casual channel with extra videos or behind-the-scenes content.
Beast Games (on Prime Video): A newer reality-style series involving competitions with big rewards, aimed at older audiences.

Whether your child is watching people compete in physical challenges, enjoying silly pranks, or following along with a gaming session, the common thread is always entertainment that’s loud, colorful, and often over the top to keep viewers engaged.

Why Do Kids Love MrBeast?

First, his videos are exciting from the very beginning. There’s always something big happening—huge prizes, surprising twists, or eye-catching stunts. That makes his videos incredibly watchable, especially for kids and teens used to short attention spans and scrolling through social media.

MrBeast is also known for giving away money, food, or even houses to strangers. To many young viewers, he seems like a real-life hero—fun, successful, and someone who uses his fame to help others.

In a recent LinkedIn post, he listed some of the things his channel has helped accomplish:

“It’s kind of crazy the amount of good we’ve been able to do thru a YouTube channel:
23,000,000 Trees planted
33,000,000 Pounds of trash removed from ocean
10,000,000+ Meals to people in need
500,000 People getting water from our wells we built
$3,000,000 To war refugees for supplies
$1,000,000+ Clothes to people in need
20,000 Shoes to kids in Africa
3,000 People helped walk again
1,000 Deaf people helped hear
1,000 Blind people helped see
100+ Houses for homeless people
100+ Cars given away
100s Of Dogs rescued
3 Islands given away
1 Orphanage/School/Hospital/Town/Gym/Village Powered/etc
1 Chocolate brand that pays farmers fairly and audits child labor.

And over $50,000,000 given to people NOT including the stuff listed above. All while still in my 20s.

It is kind of funny that people who have never volunteered in their life or given a penny to charity will see this and make a 30-minute essay about how I’m evil... No matter how much people complain I’ll never stop helping people. It’s fun :)”

Whether or not your child understands the scale of this impact, it’s clear why so many kids admire him.

Is MrBeast Safe for Kids to Watch?

While many kids love his exciting challenges and generous giveaways, it’s worth looking a bit closer to decide whether his content is the right fit for your child.

According to Common Sense Media, MrBeast’s videos are best suited for children aged 14 and up. That might come as a surprise, since many of his fans are younger. The age recommendation is based on several factors: frequent product placements, occasional crude humor or language, and the fact that some stunts may not be safe for kids to imitate.

Younger children may still enjoy his videos, but parental guidance is recommended—especially for kids under 12.

That said, there are a few things parents should watch for:

Constant stimulation: The fast editing, flashy visuals, and high energy are designed to grab attention—and keep it. This can make it harder for some kids to concentrate on slower, everyday activities like homework or reading.
Focus on fame and money: Many videos revolve around big rewards or sudden success. While entertaining, this can lead kids to believe that being rich or famous is the most important thing in life.
Tempting but risky stunts: Although carefully planned by adults, some challenges might encourage younger viewers to try similar things on their own—without understanding the risks.
Emotional intensity: From people crying to high-pressure situations, the drama can sometimes be too much for younger or more sensitive kids to process comfortably.
Strong personal connection: MrBeast speaks directly to the camera in a friendly, familiar way. Some kids may feel like they know him personally, which can create unrealistic attachments or expectations.
Blurred lines between fun and marketing: MrBeast is not just a YouTuber—he’s also a business. He promotes his own products (like chocolate, burgers, and games) in a way that feels natural to kids. But many young viewers may not realize they’re being marketed to.
Endless content: With several side channels and short videos, it’s easy for kids to lose track of time and watch more than they intended—especially if no limits are in place.

MrBeast isn’t just a YouTuber. He’s also a brand. Your child may ask to try his chocolate bars, buy his merch, or download his mobile game. While these products are marketed as part of the fun, they’re still commercial businesses—and kids don’t always recognize when they’re being sold something.

What Can Parents Do?

You don’t need to ban MrBeast from your child’s screen. In fact, his videos can be a great opportunity to connect and talk about things that matter—like generosity, money, fame, and even how media works. What matters most is how your child watches, not just what they watch.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Watch Together

One of the best ways to understand what your child is seeing—and to support healthy screen habits—is to sit down and watch a few MrBeast videos together. This is called “co-viewing,” and it’s recommended by child development experts. It gives you a chance to ask questions, share your thoughts, and see how your child reacts to different content.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Start with something simple, like:
– What do you like about his videos?
– Would you ever want to be in one of those challenges? Why or why not?

These conversations can help you better understand how your child sees the world—and how MrBeast’s content might be influencing their views on success, money, or what’s “cool.”

3. Talk About What’s Real and What’s Edited

Explain how YouTube videos are made to be exciting on purpose—using fast cuts, bright colors, music, and reactions. Help your child understand that most of what they see online is highly edited and sometimes exaggerated.

4. Discuss Money and Fame in Real Life

Many MrBeast videos focus on giving away huge prizes or achieving big fame. While this can be inspiring, it’s also important to talk about how real-life success usually takes time, effort, and balance. Use this as a chance to introduce healthy views around saving, spending, giving, and managing expectations.

5. Set Clear Time Limits

MrBeast content can be very bingeable. Set a daily internet time limit based on your child’s age. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends one to two hours per day for school-age children. Be consistent, and try to mix screen time with other kinds of play and learning.

6. Use Parental Controls When Needed

If you’re concerned about internet time or want to guide what your child can access, parental control tools can be helpful. For example, Bitdefender Parental Control lets you:

Limit access to YouTube during certain times of day
Filter out inappropriate content
Monitor your child’s online activity in a gentle, respectful way

Included in all Bitdefender Family Plans, it helps families keep internet time safe and balanced.

As with most online content, a little guidance goes a long way. With your support, your child can enjoy what they love—and learn to watch with awareness, not just wide eyes.