The Wisconsin Department of Justice sent out the following information on livestreaming and it is incredibly valuable for families to know! Please review this and have a conversation with your children. They have an abundance of fantastic information and resources, you may want to subscribe to their newsletter.
“Live streaming is now available on almost every major social media platform and it allows children to communicate via video stream in real time with the world. Children frequently livestream to create online content to make people laugh, obtain followers and engage in the online community. This seemingly innocent behavior can have serious risks as a child’s presence on a livestreaming platform means they are now exposed to millions of people at the click of a button, including those that may wish to harm children.”
“What are the most popular livestream platforms?
Most major social media platforms now have a livestream function. YouTube Live, TikTok Live, and Instagram Live are all popular apps in which children can both watch and post live content. Those watching can “like” and comment, but it’s not really a two-way street. So, instead of just posting a picture or status update, teens can “go live” and people can access their video in real time or later on.”
“The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reports, children are victimized in numerous ways as a result of livestreaming. Ill-intentioned individuals are aware of the unique vulnerability of children online and often entice children to undress, expose themselves on camera, engage in sexual activity independently and with others (i.e. siblings, friends, pets) and engage in self-harming behaviors.”
“Real and unedited feedback
The real-time nature of live streaming means there is no way to edit what is shared. The videos are live and unmonitored, which makes it easy for people to say (or show) whatever they want. Thus, a child might share something intimate or private if asked, that they otherwise wouldn’t share as a photo or video. Feedback received through comments during live streams or on vlogs could negatively impact a child’s wellbeing. Cyberbullying, hate or comments on their appearance could lead to negative self-image.”
“Sharing of Personal Information and Grooming
Per NCMEC, just because you are home, or in the same room, does not mean your child is less vulnerable to harmful individuals online. Many live streaming videos do not depict a child verbally speaking to these individuals, yet they’re still being victimized. Children are often reading comments from viewers instructing them to engage in sexual or self-harming behaviors. Children are also responding to viewers by divulging personal information including where they go to school, their phone number and even their home address—which poses a risk to the entire family.”
An article by the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights research that was conducted on 100 minor Twitch streamers with 1,755,452 followers. Researchers accessed live streams that appeared to be conducted by minors and who had their cameras on and showed their faces. Per the study, youth streamers provided their names (47%) and stated their location 50% of the time. About 38% provided detailed schedules of when they would be live, and 64% linked and encouraged viewers to follow their other public social media. Viewers were able to donate money to 37% of streamers.”
Please have conversations about this with your children!
