Robert Kenney has become an unlikely internet star with Dad, How Do I?—a now-viral YouTube channel that offers practical life lessons for those who grew up without fathers.
The 55-year-old told Good Morning America he decided to create the channel on April 1 and uploaded his first video, "How to tie a tie," the following day. Since then, Kenney's YouTube channel has garnered more than 6,000,000 views, over 2 million subscribers, and countless messages of gratitude.
"I had no idea (Dad, How Do I?) would take off like it has," he told GMA.
Kenney said he decided to launch the channel after receiving so many "adulting" questions from his children, 28-year-old Kristine and 25-year-old Kyle. He initially intended to upload the videos to show his kids—and future grandkids—how to successfully complete handy tasks, like how to use a stud finder, how to unclog a bathtub drain, and how to check a car's oil.
Though he acknowledges that how-to videos are a dime a dozen, Kenney said there are several factors that distinguish his channels from the others: "One of the things is kindness. I've been trying to be kind and loving. [The internet] doesn't have an algorithm for kindness."
Kenney, like many of his subscribers, spent a large portion of his childhood without a dad. He told GMA his father had "emotionally checked out" when he was 14, and decided from that day forward he would never do that with his own children.
"Marriage and raising children is tough, but you have to work through it and that was always my goal," he said.
Kenney now has become somewhat of a father-figure for people around the world, as he also uses his platform to provide support and affirmation to those who may not receive it anywhere else.
"I get emotional ... I put out a video, and I basically just said, 'I'm proud of you, I love you, God Bless you,' and some comments said they've never been told that someone is proud of them," he said. "I haven't always done everything exactly the way planned, but I was quick to reconcile. I think that's the big thing, be vulnerable to your kids by not trying to act like you got it all figured out ... they're going to find out eventually that you're not perfect."
