The “you” in YouTube

Most users begin their YouTube experience in a similar way: a harmless click on an initial video that often results in hours of video surfing addiction. However, the breadth and versatile types of videos on YouTube makes each individual’s connection to the site unique.

To some, such as  junior Brian Lyu, YouTube is a gateway to hours of comedic videos and mental relaxation from schooling and homework.

“I like to watch a channel called ‘bfvsgf’ where a couple competes to prank each other,” Lyu said. “The pranks they come up with are really funny and the victim’s reaction are always hilarious.”

In addition to providing comedic relief, YouTube allows users to keep up with current events.

“During the basketball season, I don’t have time to watch full NBA games,” Lyu said. “YouTube’s NBA channel uploads the best highlights for games I miss. I can see the really exciting things that happened and what teams are doing well.” 

Also to be found on YouTube is a wealth of tutorials.

For instance, senior Allison Kim looks to YouTube for advice beauty and fashion tips.

“I subscribe to a lot of YouTube gurus for makeup tips, hair tips, and fashion ideas,” Kim said. “There’s pretty much tutorials for people looking for anything and it’s a great source for life tips.”

Kim said that the “vlogging” (video blogging) style of YouTubers, for example her favorite channel “fromheadtotoe,” has added a personal touch to her experience.

“[‘fromheadtotoe’] just has a great personality besides the makeup,” Kim said. “I just love the outfits she sports and her reviews and I just feel like I can relate to her more.”

While Lyu and Kim’s subscriptions contain channels such as “bfvsgf” and “fromheadtotoe” respectively, sophomore Amanda Le’s is filled with the channels of YouTube musicians such as Joseph Vincent and Lydia Paek.

“I like how the YouTube artists put their own twists to their covers of songs,” Le said. “They get really creative with the music and sometimes it doesn’t even sound like the actual song.”

Le feels that YouTube artists seem to be just ordinary people through their vlogs and daily interactions separates them from the usual artists.

“Since they’re doing covers on their own and making their own songs, [the music] feels more real,” Le said. “Because [the music] isn’t edited for weeks in a studio, it’s more raw.”

Whether it’s music, comedy or fashion, anyone can be entertained on YouTube.

"On TV sometimes you’ll flip through all your favorite channels and you won’t have anything to watch,” Le said. “But on YouTube, there’s an infinite number of videos that lead from one video to the next. There’s always something to click on and you never get bored.”