A Parent’s Guide to Twitch

If your kids love videogames, chances are they’re into Twitch. Whether cheering on a League of Legends tournament or watching celebrities play Among Us, Twitch users have plenty of viewing options 24/7.

As a parent, you might be wondering what makes Twitch such a prime destination. Here’s a big-picture breakdown.

What exactly is it?
Twitch is a video-streaming platform that offers a fun, social way to watch people play games. Through the Twitch app (and online at Twitch.tv), gamers who broadcast their matches (known as streamers) play their favorite titles while providing running commentary on the action.

Launched in 2011, Twitch has grown into the largest live-streaming platform of its kind. Millions log in every day to watch their favorite gamers battle aliens, score goals, and achieve victory royales.

Who’s streaming on Twitch?
Anybody can stream, but skilled players with larger-than-life personalities draw the biggest audiences. Some streamers have reached bona fide celebrity status.

Does Twitch have a social component? Will kids be talking to strangers?
Twitch viewers can type messages into a chat window to comment on the video stream—posting anything from “Sweet jump, dude!” to funny animated images. These messages are visible to both the streamer and fellow viewers.

In the app’s settings menu, you can prevent people from sending unsolicited private messages, called Whispers in Twitch parlance.

How kid-appropriate is the content?
Due to the unpredictable nature of live-streaming, adult language and subject matter can be the norm for some streams. Although Twitch doesn’t offer a typical suite of parental controls, there are several ways to safely view content. Using the “Sort and Filter” menu on the Browse tab lets you apply content tags, such as Family Friendly. Or use the app’s search tool (tap the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner) to type game-related phrases like “Mario” or “Minecraft.” Viewers can also completely hide a stream’s chat window by tapping an icon in the corner of a video (it looks like a speech bubble with a line through it).

Seeing problematic content? Tapping a user’s name allows you to block or report that person. (Specific streamers can be removed from your feed too: Tap the three dots next to their preview thumbnail, or use the options menu directly in their channel.) Many popular streamers try to keep things clean by having chat filters in place that block bad words, but keeping a watchful eye is best. (According to Twitch’s terms of service, only gamers 13 and older are allowed, and those under 18 must have parental supervision.)

How much does Twitch cost?
The Twitch app is free to download, and streams are free to watch. Some streamers offer monthly subscriptions that come with special perks, like channel-specific emotes and progression badges.

Twitch users can also purchase an in-app currency called Bits, which allows them to send Cheers to a streamer as a way of showing support.

What else can you watch on Twitch?
Twitch is overflowing with all kinds of gaming-related content, including charity fundraising streams, massive esports tournaments, and glitzy game awards shows.

But some channels don’t feature games at all. There are Twitch streamers who perform music, teach art, or simply go about their daily lives with a camera pointed at them.

Twitch: Live Streaming

Stream, Watch, Chat. Live.

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