Should Kids Stream on Twitch? Kids Livestreaming Pros + Cons

Today, many kids use livestreaming platforms to get entertainment from their favorite celebrities and influencers, talk with their friends and even create their own original content.

Tweens and teens flock to livestreaming platforms like Twitch to watch famous Twitch streamers play popular video games, participate in Q&As with their favorite internet influencers, or simply just watch people broadcast their daily lives in real-time.

It’s natural to be wary of your child inviting someone to watch them livestream or having them interact with strangers (especially adults). Is Twitch safe for kids? What are the dangers and benefits of livestreaming?

We’re here to provide parents with a comprehensive guide on Twitch streaming safety for kids. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of kids starting a Twitch channel, Twitch, parental controls, and how to monitor what your child streams and watches to ensure their safety online.

Related: 5 Ways Social Media Affects Kids' Mental Health (And How Parents Can Help!)

What is Twitch?

Twitch TV is an interactive livestreaming service company owned by Amazon that started growing in popularity within the gaming community. It was founded in 2011 and has over 31 million daily active users. At any given time, around 103,000 people are streaming on Twitch.

Streamers are those who broadcast their content live on the service. They are also called Twitch Streamers, Creators, or Broadcasters. The most popular Twitch users broadcast themselves playing video games live to an online audience.

While video game streaming and playing online games like Minecraft and Fortnite are popular with Twitch users, there is also a lot of adult content and NSFW streams across the platform that may have parents worried.

Twitch channels can also host live streams of people cooking, performing music, hosting web talk shows, making art, or just living their day-to-day lives. Users have the option to participate in live Q&A sessions with the content creator in their chat.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Use Twitch?

According to the Twitch Community Guidelines, Twitch is restricted to people over the age of 13. Those over the age of 13 but under the age of the majority where they reside may only use the platform under the supervision of a parent or guardian who is bound to Twitch’s Terms of Services.

However, you do not have to have a registered Twitch account to watch Twitch. Children can go to the site and watch freely. Once they sign up, they can begin to livestream immediately.

Why is Twitch Popular Among Kids?

Young people use Twitch because it gives them an opportunity to make friends across the globe, express themselves, and interact with their favorite Twitch streamers. It is popular amongst gamers. It gives them a sense of community with like-minded people.

Unlike pre-recorded videos on other platforms that are edited before they are published, Twitch is designed for livestreaming which creates a more authentic experience and appeals to kids.

Does Twitch Cost Money?

According to their site, Twitch is free to use. Most Twitch users don’t stream; they use the platform to watch, interact with the community, and chat with their favorite streamers. Twitch can be used on its website, mobile, and game consoles.

However, while Twitch is free to create and watch content on, some streamers do offer paid subscriptions, which grant users exclusive benefits like custom emotes, ad-free viewing, and more. These paid content channels can be dangerous for kids who don’t realize how much money they’re spending.

Additionally, viewers can donate money directly to streamers if they choose to do so through Twitch transactions. Without parental monitoring online transactions and donations may be a predatory way to get kids to spend their (or their parents’) money.

Dangers of Online Twitch Transactions for Kids

One of the risks of Twitch transactions is that kids can easily spend money on the platform without realizing it. Twitch offers a variety of ways to spend money, including buying subscriptions, donating to streamers, and purchasing virtual goods. It's easy for kids to get caught up in the excitement of a stream and accidentally spend money they don't have.

Twitch is a popular online streaming platform where people can watch and interact with their favorite streamers. It's a fun and entertaining place to spend time, but it also has its dangers, especially for kids.

Another danger of Twitch transactions is that there are scammers who prey on kids. These scammers will pose as popular streamers or offer fake giveaways in exchange for money or personal information. Kids may not realize that they are being scammed, and the consequences can be devastating.

How to Protect Kids from Online Scams

To protect kids from the dangers of Twitch transactions, parents should follow the following guidelines:

• Monitor children's activity on Twitch and other social media platforms.
• Set limits on how much money kids can spend
• Educate them on how to identify scams.
• Use parental controls to restrict access to certain features on Twitch.

Can Kids Make Money Streaming?

Yes, kids over the age of 13 can make money as streamers. There are several ways they can do this:

• Advertising (revenue is shared with Twitch 50/50)
• Offering paid subscriptions
• Sponsorships
• Soliciting donations, “bits” or cheers that allow chat users to send emotes to show support
• Posting links to 3rd party services that receive payments such as PayPal or Stream Elements

There are requirements that need to be met before accepting paid subscriptions including the following:

• Streamer is an Affiliate
• Streamer has at least 50 followers
• Streamer has broadcasted 8 hours in the last 30 days
• Streamer’s account is in good standing

Many people (including kids and teens) have turned video game streaming into a full-time career! If they build a big enough following, video game streamers can participate in live Esports tournaments and other video game competitions that often offer large amounts of money to the winners!

Pros and Cons of Kids Streaming on Twitch

There are several advantages and disadvantages for kids who stream on Twitch.

Pros of Kids Twitch Streaming

1. Building self-confidence

Streaming properly and consistently requires effort, time, and dedication. This can help a child set goals, track progress, receive constructive feedback for improvement, and focus on building their craft and mastering the skill. As they gain more followers and get positive feedback, kids can build confidence and self-esteem in showcasing their talent to the world.

2. Developing communication skills

Popular streamers have lots of followers because they are effective communicators. A kid who streams on Twitch needs to learn how to perform and engage with a wide range of audiences in real time. These are transferrable presentation and social skills that can be applied in school and work.

3. Learning money management skills

Streamers can make money through Esports and gaming competitions which allow them to learn important lessons about managing money effectively. Earning their own money helps them develop independence, feel empowered, gain knowledge about paying taxes, and learn about the responsibilities of being self-employed.

Cons of Kids Twitch Streaming

1. Exposure to cyberbullying

Those who participate in a livestream have the option to chat with each other. Although Twitch offers some tools to filter these conversations, it is up to the channel owner to enable them. Therefore, there is a lack of sufficient moderation and a child can be at risk for abusive language and cyberbullying.

2. Inappropriate content

Livestreams are unpredictable because they occur in real-time. It is impossible to control what happens and the content can change very quickly. Mature content and inappropriate content that is reported are only removed after it is posted or broadcasted.

3. Online predators

Anyone can access channels and chats. While streaming, someone can send your child a private message called “whispers”. This can be done by anyone as long as they know their username. Bloomberg published an article in 2022 that discussed how children were targeted on Twitch.

Online predators would enter live chats where children were live streaming themselves. They send direct messages and ask them to show their full bodies, do TikTok dances or perform inappropriate acts in exchange for tips or donations.

4. Scams

Scammers have been known to trick streamers with fake donations or ask them to send money through 3rd party such as PayPal.

Safety Tips for Parents and Kids Streaming on Twitch

Nowadays, it is nearly impossible to prevent a child from accessing parental controls for Twitch. Therefore, It is important that you understand how to set up privacy settings and monitor chat room activity on Twitch. Teach your kids about these settings and ensure they turn them on. There are several safety features that can be used:

• Ignore User Feature: Your child can prevent users from sending inappropriate comments by using this feature. They click on their user name and select “ignore user”.
• Block Button: This allows your child to block anyone who is making them feel unsafe. It prevents them from contacting your child and filters any comments they post.
• Block Whispers: This prevents strangers who are not connected to your child from sending private messages to them.
• Chat Filters: These allow the user to block potentially harmful language such as profanity, sexual content, hate speech, hostility, and discrimination across all Twitch channels.
• Stream Moderation: Before starting a livestream, a creator can turn on moderation settings which helps remove inappropriate comments that do not meet Twitch’s Community Guidelines in the chat.

Talk to Kids About Safe and Unsafe Internet Practices

Create an open and honest environment for your kids to talk to you about what they are using the Internet for, and what is and isn’t age-appropriate. Tell them that anything that they publish on the internet will permanently live there. It’s important that they do not share personally identifying information online such as:

• Credit card information
• Bank account numbers
• Social Security or Driver’s License numbers
• Full Name
• Home address or city
• Name and address of your school
• Social media handles
• Phone numbers
• Passwords

Sharing these types of information can put them at risk of identity theft, online harassment, cyberbullying, invasion of privacy, fraud, and other scams.

Monitor All Twitch Livestreams and Other Social Media Livestreams

It’s easier for a child to practice unsafe Internet behaviors when they are alone or without adult supervision. Explain the potential dangers and risks that exist and discuss boundaries with your child about streaming on Twitch. This allows you to monitor your child’s screen time and online activity more closely and intervene if inappropriate behaviors and comments arise when they are using the platform.

Twitch is an enormous livestreaming platform that kids are using to connect with each other, showcase their talent, and express themselves. It’s important that parents and children understand the potential dangers of using the service.

Having an open line of communication about streaming with your kids and being informed of the safeguards can help protect them from the risks.