Single Mom Diaries | Why Do Preteen Boys Think YouTube is the Answer to Everything?

Listen, I’m all for learning new things. But if my 12-year-old son tells me ONE MORE TIME that he saw it on YouTube, I might actually lose it.

It doesn’t matter what we’re talking about—cooking, fixing a broken lamp, world history, how to fold a fitted sheet (as if he even knows what a fitted sheet is)—this boy will confidently say: “I saw this guy on YouTube do it differently.”

Oh? Did you now?

I’m sorry, I didn’t realize some random dude named “GameKing420” had a PhD in Everything. 🙄

Move Over, Mom—YouTube Knows Best

I, a fully functioning adult who has somehow managed to keep this child alive for over a decade, apparently know nothing compared to the “experts” on YouTube. Because in his mind:

👩‍🍳 Me cooking dinner: “This is how you make pasta.”

👦 Him: “That’s not how they did it on YouTube.”

👩 Me: “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you were trained in the Culinary Arts.”

👦 Him: “Well, not me, but this guy with 3 million subscribers is.”

First of all, boy, can you even boil water?Second, that YouTube chef also made a flaming hot Cheeto-crusted pizza, so let’s not take everything he says as gospel.

YouTube = Instant Expert Mode

The worst part? He genuinely believes that watching a video once makes him an expert. Like, I walked in last week and caught him watching a “How to Survive in the Wilderness” video.

👦 Him: “I’m pretty sure I could survive in the wild now.”

👩Me: “You screamed when there was a spider in the bathroom.”

👦 Him: “Yeah, but YouTube said you just have to stay calm and—”

👩 Me: “STAY CALM?! You yelled ‘MOM, HELP’ like you were being attacked.”

And don’t even get me started on the “life hacks” videos. According to my son, YouTube has a shortcut for EVERYTHING.

Why study for a test when you can watch a “Memorize Anything in 5 Minutes” video?
Why clean your room when a YouTuber says “clutter is good for creativity”?
Why listen to Mom when some 23-year-old in sunglasses says “school is a scam”?

Me: The Embarrassing Old Lady Who Knows Nothing

You know what’s really cute? The fact that I’m suddenly the dumbest person in the house.

This child, whom I BIRTHED, is now out here fact-checking me like I didn’t live before Wi-Fi.

👦 Him: “Mom, that’s actually wrong. I saw a video about it.”

👩 Me: “Son, I was ALIVE when it happened.”

👦 Him: “Yeah, but I think YouTube explained it better.”

Oh. Okay.Let me just fade into irrelevance, then.

Final Thoughts: YouTube is Not Your Parent

Look, I’m not anti-YouTube. I get it—it’s fun, it’s endless, and it makes anything look easy. But my son acts like if it’s not on YouTube, it’s not real.

So, to all the moms out there dealing with a preteen who suddenly thinks they’re a scientist, historian, survivalist, master chef, and life coach because of a 10-minute video, just know:

We are in this struggle together.

And if you need help? Just Google it.

Because we all know… Mom’s advice isn’t real unless it comes from the internet. 🙃

Can you relate? What’s the funniest YouTube “fact” your kid has tried to school you on? Drop it in the comments! 😆👇

~smy