‘Internet Dad’ Rob Kenny Becomes Father-Figure Millions Never Had
By Movieguide® Contributor
Rob Kenny, known as “the Internet’s Dad,” reveals the power of a father’s influence through his YouTube channel “Dad, how do I?”
Kenney began his channel to help those who might not have a father in their life. His videos instruct viewers on things like how to jump-start a car, shave their face and tie a necktie.
“I pictured one of my kids in the other room saying, ‘Dad, how do I,’ and that’s how I came up with the name,” Kenney explained. “This channel has allowed me to continue my dad-ness because my kids were out of the house, and I was feeling a little lost. Honestly, being a dad is everything to me.”
Kenney began his channel in April 2020, and it soon went viral, something he found exciting but also “heartbreaking.”
“The flip side of my channel ‘going viral’ is that it’s so needed — it’s heartbreaking,” he told American Essence. “If you spend any time reading the comments, it will bring you to tears…It’s been eye-opening for me.”
His desire to reach out to people without a father comes from his experience. Kenney’s father left his family when he was just 14 years old.
“I learned how to tie a tie from my roommate when I was 19,” he said to K5. “All those little things that I kind of picked up along the way, there’s a certain amount of pain that came through with each of them, because I remember struggling with lots of different things.”
Concluding his videos with phrases like “God bless you” and “I’m proud of you,” Kenney’s videos are popular for their practical life advice but also for the care and love viewers feel when watching them.
“I’m trying to make it easier for somebody by providing content that doesn’t waste your time, but also you feel loved, you come and learn how to do something in a non-judgmental way,” Kenney said while appearing on “The Lives of Tomorrow” podcast. “I think we all do this because we’re embarrassed to ask the question, so I tried to take that off the table. I’m not going to assume you know anything about a propane tank or whatever. I’m just going to show you this so you’re no longer scared of it, and it doesn’t intimidate you.”
He also spoke about his desire to encourage other dads to see fatherhood as “a cool thing.”
“I think a lot of times it’s portrayed in sitcoms like Homer Simpson. And while it’s funny, it also hurts the fact that it is cool to be a dad, and I have loved every minute of it,” Kenney said. “The ups and the downs aren’t always easy, but I love it. And so if I can do my little part to help encourage dads to see how needed you are and how cool it is.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Kenney’s channel and the impact it has had:
Kenney, who started the “Dad, How Do I?” YouTube channel to show people how to do things like hang pictures, put oil in their car, and tie a necktie, said his channel came about because of his own father’s absence.
“My dad left when I was 14 years old,” Kenney said. “I thought it would be a good idea to just download some information that I had to learn — a lot of it, the hard way.”
He said he doesn’t “dwell on it,” adding “I share [my story] with other people to encourage them to move on. You can’t do anything about the past. I try to encourage people to forgive…it’s not healthy to carry that around.”
Kenney’s videos focus on learning practical skills, but he shared that the most important part of his content is connecting with viewers.
“There’s so much more to being a dad or a mom than just fixing things,” he said. “You have to share your heart with your kids.”
When he was 14 years old, Rob Kenney's father abandoned him.
After he became an adult, he launched a YouTube channel called "Dad, How Do I?" that teaches kids to do things that a dad would normally teach them.
He has more than 18 million views. pic.twitter.com/nfn0Baz6Qs
— Goodable (@Goodable) February 19, 2022
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
