Twitch

How Twitch works

Twitch is a live streaming platform for video games. The app lets gamers and gaming fans watch live streams of others playing different types of games. They can chat as part of a community with other fans from around the world.

Although gaming is the dominant part of Twitch, users can find other themed content, such as music and arts, fitness and general chatting. Twitch broadcasts esports tournaments too, which often offer large cash prizes to professional players.

The Twitch website offers a ‘signed out’ experience so you can get an overview of the content your child might see on Twitch without signing up for an account. This can be a useful way for you to explore and understand Twitch.

Minimum age requirements

The minimum age to create a Twitch account is 13. However, the Apple App Store rates the app 17+ due to the user-generated content, such as live streams and chats, which may not be suitable for younger users. 

If a user enters a date of birth that makes them over 18, they will need to verify their age via a face scan. If a user doesn’t verify their age, they won’t be able to watch mature content.

Twitch’s Terms of Service state that those under 18 must have parental supervision. Twitch will close accounts found to belong to users under 13.

Features

Bits

In-platform currency that viewers can use to cheer or show appreciation and support for the streamer they're watching through the chat function. 

Channel

A streamer's individual page where they broadcast content.

Chat 

A function that allows users watching the same stream to communicate with one another. The person who is streaming is also able to follow and engage with the chat.

Cheering

When a user donates ‘bits’ to a streamer.

Featured clips

Clips that streamers and their editors can highlight on their channel page. They can also feature any clips of their channel created by any viewer on Twitch.

Following

A list of channels and creators that a user follows. This feed notifies users when their followed channels go live and provides easy access to their content.

Go Live

A feature that allows users to live stream their chosen content.

Guilds

Groups within Twitch that allow users to connect based on shared interests.

Mod

Moderators (Mods) are responsible for enforcing a channel’s rules by removing inappropriate chats, handing time-outs and banning disruptive users. Broadcasters can choose some of their viewers to be mods.

Shared viewership

Streamers host a collaborative live stream with a shared chat allowing audiences and followers of different creators to come together on one stream and interact via shared chat.

Shield mode

A moderation tool that allows streamers to apply stricter chat rules temporarily. It has been designed to be manually enabled when higher protections may be necessary, such as if the account is receiving harassing messages.

Stories

A mobile-only feature where users can post video or image content to their profile. Stories are only available for 48 hours.

Whispers

A private messaging system which allows users to have one-on-one conversations with other users without anyone else seeing.

Terms

Cosplay 

Streamers will sometimes dress as characters from the game they are playing. 

Marathon stream

When a user streams for an extended period of time (typically 12 to 24 hours).

What Twitch offers

Communities

Twitch has streams that cover a wide range of interests. Users can find streams that match their interests and communicate with other users who share their hobby in the stream chat. 

Inspiring creativity

One of the main streaming categories on Twitch is ‘Creative’. It allows streamers to share creativity through painting, cooking, programming and more. Viewing these videos can help inspire users and encourage them to start doing art or other creative hobbies.

Managing risks 

Inappropriate content 

Many streams on Twitch involve mature themes. Some streamers will play games rated PEGI 18, while others will use bad language or have adult-oriented discussion. Twitch has guidelines to limit this kind of content on the platform, but users can find workarounds.

There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of your child being exposed to inappropriate content.

Discourage age-inappropriate streams

Streamers are required to label mature content. Encouraging your child to avoid content with the ‘Mature’ label will help them avoid inappropriate content. Staying away from streams of PEGI 18 games will also stop them seeing the mature content in these games.

Enable filters

In Twitch’s settings, you can enable filtering in stream chats. This will automatically hide any discriminating, sexual or profane comments. 

Report content

Show your child how to report any streams that break Twitch’s content guidelines. This will help make the platform safer for everyone. 

Contact with other users

Interacting with other users can be a risk for younger users on Twitch. Strangers can contact them directly through Whispers, or in the chat on streams. 

This could lead to harassment, bullying, scams or grooming. If your child is streaming, they could also receive abuse from their audience or accidentally overshare during a stream.

The following actions can help prevent your child from being contacted or targeted by strangers.

Adjust settings

You can adjust the settings in Twitch so that only approved friends can send Whispers to your child. This makes it harder for strangers to contact them.

If your child is streaming, encourage them to turn on moderation tools, such as Shield mode. This will help filter out abusive comments from the chat.

Enable filters

You can adjust chat settings to prevent discriminatory, sexual or profane comments from being shown in stream chats. This can filter out a lot of harmful messages. 

Talk about online interactions

Have a conversation with your child about what is okay to share online, and what information they should keep private. Let them know that you are there to support them, and they should come to you if someone is making them uncomfortable online.

Block and report

Teach your child how to use the block and report tools so that they can end contact with anyone making them uncomfortable on Twitch.

Contact the police

If you suspect someone is attempting to groom your child through the Twitch Whisper function, screenshot any evidence and report them to the police.

Addictive design

There is an endless amount of content on Twitch, with no clear stopping point. The chats are live meaning young people may fear missing out if they take a break from the platform. 

The addictive design can also lead to children overspending as they purchase ‘Bits’ to support their favourite streamers.

You can help your child avoid spending too much time on Twitch by doing the following.

Set time limits

In the parental control settings of your child’s iOS or Android device, you can set time limits on the Twitch app. This will prevent them from spending too much time on the app. 

Set usage limits

Make an agreement with your child about when they can and can’t use Twitch. 

Talk about spending

Young people may be tempted to overspend on Twitch to support their favourite streamers. Because digital purchases can feel less real, help your child understand the value of money by comparing what they spend on Twitch with things they could buy in the real world. Setting a monthly spending limit together can also help prevent overspending.

Settings to protect your child

Twitch does not have dedicated parental controls. However, there are settings that can make your child’s experience on the platform safer.

Enable chat filters

Turning on chat filters will stop your child from seeing any comments that contain sexual, discriminatory or bullying language.

Enable chat filters (web)

• While watching a stream, go to the Stream chat.
• Select the gear icon at the bottom of the chat to open ‘Chat Settings’.
• Select ‘Chat Filters. 
• Toggle on ‘Enable filtering in chat’.
• Toggle on all the filters you would like to block.

Enable chat filters (Android and iOS)

• While watching a stream, go to the Stream chat.
• Select the 3 dots in the bottom right corner.
• Select ‘Hide Offensive Language’.
• Toggle on ‘Enable filtering in chat’.
• Toggle on all the filters you would like to block.

Adjust content preferences

By adjusting the content preferences on Twitch, you can hide content labelled with specific Content Classification Labels. 

Adjust content preferences (web)

• On the Twitch homepage, select the profile picture in the top right of the screen.
• Select ‘Settings’.
• Select ‘Content Preferences’.
• Go to the ‘Hide Content With Content Classification Labels’ section. 
• Toggle on all the content types you wish to hide.

Adjust content preferences (Android and iOS)

• Open the Twitch app and select ‘Profile’.
• Select the gear icon in the top left corner.
• Select ‘Content Preferences’.
• Toggle on all the content types you wish to hide.

Review reporting and blocking tools

Teaching your child how and when to use the reporting and blocking tools will help them use Twitch more safely.

Block an account

• Go to the user’s profile by selecting their username anywhere on Twitch.
• Select the 3-dots near the top of their profile.
• Choose ‘Block [username]’.
• Select ‘Confirm’ to block.

Report streams

• On the stream, select the 3 vertical dots under the video.
• Select ‘Report Live Stream’ or ‘Report Something Else’.
• Select the reasons for making a report.
• Enter email address and check the box to confirm the report is truthful.
• Select ‘Submit Report’.

Report an account

• Find the user you wish to report.
• Select their username and then the 3 dots near the top of their profile.
• Select ‘Report’ and choose the reason for reporting them.
• Enter email address and check the box to confirm the report is truthful.
• Select ‘Submit Report’.

Useful links 

• Internet Matters’ step-by-step parental controls guide.