YouTube is a huge, thriving platform. While it has its fair share of bad eggs, for every Paul brother there are 50 kickass creators who are doing good, working hard and having real, positive impacts on their audience.

So here’s a shout out to some of the best YouTube has to offer.

The Vlogbrothers

Brothers Hank and John Green (who you may recognize as the author of The Fault in Our Stars) are something of the forefathers of modern YouTube. The pair began their channel as a way to stay in touch while they lived in different states. What came out of it was a fiercely loyal fan base, over 3 million subscribers and a YouTube empire.

In addition to their personal vlogs, their Youtube presence has blossomed into a multitude of channels, from multi-disciplinary education platform Crash Course, to sex ed web show Sexplanations.

They also founded VidCon, the world’s largest YouTube convention. In fact, it’s so large VidCon expanded to Amsterdam and Melbourne in 2017, with Melbourne set to host its second VidCon this September. 

NathanZed

Nathan Zed is an American college student who is probably the human equivalent of good vibes. His videos range from reactionary humor to hard-hitting issues, which he delivers in an engaging way without compromising depth.

Nathan Zed also launched his “Good Enough” T-shirt line in 2017, centred on the mantra, “growth is accepting yourself as enough.” The T-shirts enjoyed huge success both in and beyond his audience, and became nothing short of a movement online.

He is a great example of how creators can use the plasticity of online audiences for good, and is very vocal about how YouTubers ought to treat this power with the reverence it deserves.

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Carrie Hope Fletcher is an award-winning West End actress, a singer/songwriter with a debut album around the corner, and a Sunday Times Bestseller, with her next novel When the Curtain Falls due for release July 2018.

Despite her impressive resume and crazy work ethic, it’s her positive attitude that shines through in all her videos. Proclaimed as the Big Sister of YouTube, she uses her platform to reach out and connect with her followers, and be the good influence we all need. She makes a point of not swearing online, so she’s putting out the best version of herself to her young, impressionable audience.

If you’re in need of some inspiration and motivation, Carrie’s channel is the place to be.

Philip DeFranco 

In a world of fake news and conflicting stories, Philip DeFranco provides the antidote. His daily news show The Philip DeFranco Show airs Monday to Friday, and takes an impartial, factually-accurate look at the biggest stories in the world that day.

He also ends every new story asking his audience for their own opinions, to turn the news into a discussion. If you’re having trouble making sense of the noise, checking in with The Philip DeFranco show everyday can help clear things up. 

Jacksfilms 

Jackfilms is basically a professional shit poster, and I mean that with the utmost respect. He’s always pumping out videos, be that his Q and A series Jackask, reverse Q and A series YIAY (Yesterday I Asked You), or bloody hilarious parodies, music videos or sketches. He single handedly writes his jokes, composes music as well as shoots and edits his many videos. Underneath all of the laughs and memes you can tell he is one of the hardest workers on YouTube.

He also shit posted about the Emoji Movie so relentlessly last year that he got invited to the world premiere. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is.

(Lead image: Screencap via YouTube)