Desi takes Kid Influencer of the Year for the second year in a row
Nine-year-old social media star Desmond 'Desi' Koolen has won Kid Influencer of the Year for the second consecutive year, sharing his thoughts on positivity, and staying true to himself.
Desmond ‘Desi’ Koolen, the 9-year-old social media star, is celebrating a remarkable achievement: winning the Kid Influencer of the Year Award for the second year in a row at the South African Social Media Awards.
Though he didn’t attend the ceremony, recovering from a tonsillectomy, Desi was thrilled to see the news on social media. “It feels really awesome, and I was pretty shocked to hear I got it a second time around.”
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When asked what he enjoys most about being a kid influencer, Desi said: “Making the videos, and influencing people positively. It’s also pretty cool when people recognise me.”
Looking ahead, Desi wants to use his influence to spread kindness. If he could create a challenge for his friends and followers, it would be a kindness challenge, inspired by the movie Pay It Forward. “It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive. The prize will be that you get to feel really good about having done a good deed, and helped make the world a better place.”
Desi also shared some hard-earned advice for other aspiring kid influencers. “The most important thing I’ve learned is to always be myself and remember that kindness is free.
“Always make time for everyone who wants to meet you or speak to you in public. Success comes with hard work. I work super hard in my influencing career, but I also have a very balanced life, and my schooling comes first.
What people see on social media is only 5% of my life. I’m a very normal 9-year-old. I make the final decisions on any campaigns or events I do, because my parents believe it should be my choice. ”
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He added an inspiring message for young people facing challenges online.
“Always be yourself. There will always be people who are jealous of you, who will bully you or try to dim your light. My advice is to just kill them with kindness.
“There is a place in the sun for all of us, and we all have our own talents. Be yourself and embrace who you are. Don’t let them steal your joy. To the bullies and keyboard warriors, you fuel us to do more and rise even higher.”
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