This website offers recent research, videos, and news on the emerging concerns of video live streaming in the world of entertainment and social platforms among certain age users such as pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults. Thank you for viewing my website and I look forward to reading your feedback.
https://miguelaro08.wixsite.com/etec523
Hi Miguel,
I feel somewhat conflicted about this topic, because live-streaming has become another amazing tool that continues to de-centralize legacy-media and gives entrepreneurs another tool to build communities around shared interests. HOWEVER, I see from your resource and the discussion here, that there are problems with certain kinds of live-streaming within specific (younger) demographics. I see there is concern with both young people CONSUMING live-streams, and having such easy access to PRODUCE them and what the consequences of that may be. Does anyone here think that one (consuming or producing live streams) is more dangerous or problematic than the other? I would think young people live streaming their lives, like sharing anything on the internet, would be the more unique problem presented by live-streaming? What is the difference between watching/following a live-streamer vs. someone’s asynchronous youtube channel or instagram feed? At the end of the day, I agree with Saeid’s suggestion that this topic is immensely connected to the importance of digital literacy. There’s a lot to think about here. Thanks the thought-provoking resource!
What do you foresee as the big differentiators between live-streaming and “standard” social media posting? As the content generator, you still control your brand. My hesitancy with all of these platforms is the response of the audience. Are they living vicariously through the content generator? Are they experimenting and trying their own thing or are they just watching for the sake of watching? It seems so instructivist with not a shred of connectivism or constructivism thrown into the equation. Reaction videos may even be worse as an infotainment mechanism.
Hi Sam, I just want to branch off of some of your points. My concerns with live-streaming is the authenticity of content creators. Are they really who they are or are the portraying themselves as someone else to gain more viewers or followers? As content creators are getting younger and younger, should educators encourage students to be more aware of digital literacy? Are viewers able to determine if what they are watching is something valuable (value add) to their life or just for entertainment. Do you think if viewers are not able to decipher the validity of the information they are getting from live streams, that it would cause a greater divide in our society?
Hi Miguel. I enjoyed viewing your website and the content; impressive. Thank you.
Sam and Sarah; great questions, got me thinking. My two cents to Sarah’s questions would be that digital literacy is a must for students in this digital age. It helps kids create/access media responsibly, realizing how what they are watching shapes their perspective of the world. In my humble opinion, only through digital literacy the viewers would be able to tell the content creator’s goal and validity of the information being live streamed. It goes back to the basics, it helps the viewer with the 5 Ws (who created this content, why this content was created, etc…).
Hello Hasssae, thank you for your response. I also agree that using the 5W’s is a good way for a conscious person to make good choices in who they follow and watch. However, I’m more concerned about parents who lets their kids unknownly watch lives streamers they shouldn’t watch due to language and rated content, or be influenced too much by the content creator, or spend too much time watching or creating their own content. As a teacher, I see how certain live streamers negatively influence young children and wonder how parents can play a bigger role in managing these issues.
Hello Sarah, I absolutely agree with you. There is a greater divide in our society with the validity of information flowing through the internet and now even more with a content crater giving their bias views on the information they find in the internet and share. I believe most live streamers do what they do simply to get the “likes” because that’s how they monetize hat they do.
Hey Sam, my biggest problem, like you mentioned, is the lack of connectivism. I have nothing against the idea of live streaming, but more against the idea of young individuals watching live streamers because 1) they have no sense of self-regulation, 2) they may not filter the content adequately, 3) they’re influenced too quickly by content creators, 4) they lose a part of self identity and originality. Most older individuals view live streamers for entertainment, but younger individuals seek for a sense of personality, style, and belonging. The creator doesn’t care who is behind the screen, and someone on the other end should worry about how the creator is positively or negatively impacting the child or teenager.
You bring up a lot of good points on your website. Both positive and negative impacts are very prevalent and are dependent on the users experience, demographic, content and end goal. It’s almost as though we need a ‘licence to stream’ to support purposeful and positive live streaming. Without the filter of editing there isn’t the opportunity for gatekeeping and emotional settling to mitigate some of the cons to live streaming.
That’s a very good idea! A “licence to stream” may solve a lot of these issues, and perhaps educate individuals at schools about this topic and perhaps even share with parents through a video the implications and consequences of young individuals watching streamers to often and help them filter the internet formation without completely eliminating the opportunity of following creators they like.
Your site was very informative. I enjoyed the current news articles, particularly the one about people generating income from apps such as TikTok. Many of the ‘pros’ of live streaming were things I had not considered, specifically the audience watching on the live streamers terms and time as opposed to the audience consuming recorded content on their own time.
Although I enjoy sifting through the information, do you think people involved or interested in live streaming may enjoy some interactive or more engaging ways to learn about your topic?