How did Karina get expelled? Examining the rumors swirling around the YouTube star - 33rd Square (2024)

Karina Kurzawa, half of the popular YouTube duo Sis vs Bro alongside her brother Ronald, is no stranger to the spotlight. But in 2022, the young star found herself at the center of expulsion rumors that spread like wildfire online. What really happened, and what can we learn from the viral speculation?

Karina‘s rise to YouTube fame

Karina‘s channel Sis vs Bro launched in 2015, when she was just 8 years old. Alongside her brother Ronald (then 10), the Kurzawa siblings began posting challenge videos, skits, and vlogs showing their playful sibling rivalry.

The concept quickly struck a chord. In just 4 years, Sis vs Bro skyrocketed to over 8.5 million subscribers. As of 2022, Karina and Ronald‘s joint channels have amassed over 18 million subscribers and 5 billion views.

For Karina, this meant growing up in front of millions of viewers. Aside from making videos, she continued attending school at Sotogrande International School in Spain, where the family resides.

Balancing education with her booming career presented challenges from a young age. In a 2019 interview, Karina admitted to sometimes skipping school to film videos.

When and how did expulsion rumors start?

In April 2022, TikToks began circulating claiming Karina had been expelled from school. Many showed photos of Karina with captions like "she got expelled from school!" or "Karina got expelled!!!".

The reasons given for her alleged expulsion varied. Some hypothesized it was due to too many absences. Others claimed she got in trouble for selling merch at school.

Notably, none of these viral TikToks cited concrete evidence, instead spreading speculation and hearsay. Still, the rumor spread like wildfire, likely due to Karina‘s fame.

A closer look at the "proof"

Many pointed to Karina‘s disappearance from Sis vs Bro videos in March and April 2022 as proof she‘d been expelled.

However, Karina has taken occasional breaks from filming before, like when she contracted COVID-19 in January 2021. She’s also been busy launching her own channel, Karina & Ronald, focusing on challenges and vlogs.

Some videos emerged claiming to show Karina crying about being expelled, but were clearly edited.

Another supposed “receipt” was a screenshot of Karina allegedly active on a new private Instagram account. But the screenshot‘s authenticity is dubious.

Overall, there is no definitive proof that Karina was expelled at all.

Karina and Ronald‘s statements on the rumors

Neither Karina nor Ronald directly confirmed or denied the expulsion allegations in early 2022.

In a community post on the Sis vs Bro channel dated April 18, 2022, Ronald wrote:

"Karina has been taking a break from filming and being on social media lately to focus on some personal things. She will return soon with some awesome new videos on her channel! We appreciate everyone‘s understanding and support."

This vague post left followers guessing. Some saw it as an admission of guilt, while others thought Karina merely wanted time off.

In a video posted September 25, 2022 titled "Karina is Back!", Karina finally returned to Sis vs Bro. Her only comment on the rumors was:

"I know I‘ve been gone for a while…I needed to take a little break. But I‘m feeling refreshed and excited to make more videos with Ronald!"

Neither statement outright explains her absence. Ultimately, Karina‘s expulsion remains unconfirmed.

The educational challenges of child YouTube stars

Whether the rumors were true or not, Karina‘s situation highlights the educational difficulties faced by many child creators.

According to a 2019 study, 1 in 5 millennial parents allow kids under 11 to have a YouTube channel. This new generation of young entertainers must balance school with rapid fame.

Once their channel takes off, many switch to homeschooling or online education. Others hire tutors on film sets.

However, Dr. Allison Glazebrook, a psychologist interviewed by the BBC, warns that parents must make education the priority:

“YouTube stars will have a shelf life, education is for life and will benefit them hugely in the future," she cautions.

For Karina and herManagement services as well as traditional schools are adapting to accommodate these students‘ unusual circ*mstances. But young entertainers like Karina still face difficult choices between focusing on school or content creation. brother, striking this balance has likely been an ongoing challenge from a very young age.

The phenomenon of viral misinformation

Another key takeaway from “KarinaGate” is the speed at which misinformation now spreads online.

Despite no concrete evidence, the rumor propagated rapidly on TikTok. Likely many viewers knew the claims were unproven but shared them anyway, fueling engagement.

According to a Cornell study, false news spreads significantly farther, faster, and deeper than the truth online.

Experts say we all have a responsibility to think critically about sources before reposting. For influential creators like Karina, viral misinformation can be especially damaging.

Questions around exploiting child YouTubers

The Karina expulsion rumor also touches on wider concerns around children being "exploited" on YouTube.

While Karina insists she loves making videos, critics argue no 8-year-old can properly consent to having their life broadcasted to millions. Kids also have little control over sponsorship deals and revenue.

Groups like the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood have urged the FTC to investigate YouTube channels featuring minors. They allege these channels frequently cross ethical lines.

Proponents argue platforms like YouTube have enabled underrepresented young people to support their families financially. But the line between helping and exploiting remains blurry.

Keeping talented kids grounded

A final consideration is how to nurture talented children without fame going to their heads.

Psychologist Dr. Glazebrook emphasizes that recognized child prodigies still need structure:

“It is usually best if children – even those accomplishing great things – can exercise their talents but still remain grounded in normalcy,” she told Forbes.

Karina‘s parents have seemingly tried to allow both YouTube success and typical schooling. But the pressures of adolescent fame are sure to further complicate her path ahead.

Staying humble, appreciative, and focused on education will serve rising talents like Karina well, however spectacular their skills.

Looking ahead

While Karina has not provided clarity on the expulsion controversy, she seems to have moved on and resumed creating content. Time will tell whether this rumor causes any long-term effects on her career.

Regardless of the specifics in Karina‘s case, the situation offers some broader lessons:

• Balancing school and child stardom requires careful navigation
• Speculation can spread widely online with or without evidence
• More conversations are needed around ethics of children on YouTube
• Even for prodigies, emphasizing normal childhood development matters

For now, fans seem relieved to have Karina back online alongside her supportive family. But her continued rise to fame is likely to come with even more scrutiny, pressures, and controversies as she grows up.

Related