Entering the World of Live Content

Why Your Kids Are Hooked and What You Need to Know

LEARNING

TECHNOLOGY

3 MINS READ

DATE

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

AUTHOR

Kenneth Norwood

Dr. Kenneth (Rico) Norwood, is a film and video game scholar, specializing in Black Queer Art and media studies. A leading voice in top publications, they excel as a content strategist and developer.

What is Streaming Culture?

Today, "streaming" is a universal term used to describe live content online. Streaming has now become so mainstream that you’ll find it on nearly every social platform, including Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. However, the majority of creators operate on Twitch, an interactive live streaming service with content on all things gaming, entertainment, sports, music, and more. And when we say majority, we mean it. Twitch was introduced in June 2011 as a spin-off of the general-interest streaming platform Justin.tv, and by 2023 generated an estimated $3 billion in global revenue.

What to Watch Out For in a Live Stream?

So, what are the key elements of a live stream? The main window is where all the action happens—you’ll see either visuals from the game or your host streamer here. To the right is the live chat feed, often filled with interactions and commentary from viewers. In the chat, users often talk about the game, ask questions, or weigh in with their own advice. Below the main window is usually a bio on the streamer, including options for subscribing, donating, or giving subscription gifts. (Subscription gifts are paid subscriptions that can be gifted to others.)

Why Should You, as a Guardian, Know About Streaming?

It's important for guardians to understand that not all streaming content is created equal. Like any other medium, there is kid-friendly content and more mature material. Sometimes the game might seem age appropriate but the language used by the streamer might not be. For instance, Kai Cenat, one of the most popular streamers today with 12.7 million followers, often creates content that isn't always suitable for younger viewers. On the other hand, a streamer like paulsoaresjr focuses on Minecraft, making his content more appropriate for children.

As with any form of media consumption, moderation is key. What your children watch is just as important—if not more so—than how much time they spend watching. The live nature of streaming means that anything can happen, even on kid-friendly channels. However, moderators (people hired to monitor the chat) and strong community guidelines usually help prevent or catch any mishaps. Since streamers often archive their content, much of what is watched on platforms like Twitc...