The famous Twitch streamer Pokimane is calling for a version of Twitch specifically for children due to a recent incident on her stream. She wants to create a safe platform for all age groups.
How did she come up with the idea?
- The variety streamer Pokimane has many fans, including a large number of children and teenagers. As a recent Twitch clip shows, they do not always behave appropriately or write inappropriate jokes in the chat.
- According to Pokimane, her chat has become even more toxic since the hate raid by streamer JiDion.
- Therefore, she wants Twitch to filter some troublemakers, especially minors, because they simply do not know better.
Pokimane demands a Twitch version specifically for children
Here’s how it should be: Since the hate raid by the now banned streamer JiDion, Pokimane’s streaming experience has been dampened. She believes that many younger viewers have simply jumped on the troll hype. They would continue where JiDion left off. Therefore, the streamer believes that Twitch needs a category for children or should offer an entirely new platform. Twitch must be particularly careful about what goes on in the chats and what content streamers share.
Okay, maybe the right way Twitch should handle it is that all children must be using a children’s version of the app. […] Just add safety measures that must go through a filter.
Pokimane via twitch.tv
Pokimane believes that unrestricted access to unregulated Twitch streams and large streamers can be harmful to children. Some of the big streamers are either unaware of their role as role models for younger audiences or even reject it. Today’s Twitch is, according to Pokimane, a breeding ground for toxic behavior that Amazon needs to eradicate.
However, the streamer is also addressing the streamers and accusing some of exploiting their young audience and abusing them for their own purposes. While the 25-year-old does not name specific names, she is likely referring to streamers like JiDion again.
What is Twitch already doing to protect children? Amazon is already giving parents some options to protect their children on Twitch and even provides recommendations for Twitch channels that are particularly suitable for children:
- The Twitch app in the App Store and Google Play is rated for 17+ or “Parental Guidance”.
- Parents can select content for 18+ in the “Not Interested” setting.
- The ability to receive messages can be disabled.
- Twitch provides a list of child-friendly streaming channels (via bark.us)
Twitch, however, could share its offerings. Competitor YouTube shows how to do it: There is the category “YouTube Kids”, where only vetted content that is suitable for a young audience is visible.
