A BBC investigation has found that YouTube stars are being paid to advertise academic cheating, with more than 250 channels promoting a Ukraine-based site that allows students to buy essays.
Purchasing ghost-written essays is not illegal and does not pose plagiarism risks since it is brand-new content. But, it does raise questions about academic fraud, since students submit them as their own work.
Some YouTube personalities as young as 12 were being paid to personally endorse EduBirdie's services. in some of the videos, the YouTube personality has suggested to have a "super smart nerd" to the work, according to BBC.