In the past few months, streaming service Twitch has tightened its content policies. In today's report, the platform's policy includes mentions self-harm.
The platform has updated its Community Guidelines to include a list of examples of self-harm mentions and behavior that it will ban.
Twitch Bans Self-Harm Mentions
According to Engadget, the updated policy is meant to encourage the platform to talk about mental, emotional, and physical health while preventing users from expressing the desire to harm themselves.
Users can share their personal stories about self-harm, emotional problems, or even suicide, but they are not allowed to discuss them in detail with their viewers.
Studies show that describing how self-harm or suicide is attempted will trigger others to do the same, as it will create similar thoughts among viewers who are already in a vulnerable position.
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The new Community Guidelines will also ban content that encourages eating disorders, unhealthy weight loss programs, and any talks about glorifying eating disorder habits such as starving yourself deliberately.
Twitch's move came after the platform banned users who referenced hard drugs and sex in their streams.
The platform also banned creators who would spread misinformation repeatedly.
Right after the ban, Amazon rolled out new reporting tools to help viewers flag any inappropriate content while giving flagged creators a chance to file for an appeal, according to California18.
Twitch hopes the new policies will reduce the number of alarming incidents in the future.
Banned Over Sexual Abuse Allegations
In 2020, Twitch rolled out permanent bans in response to a series of sexual assault and abuse allegations involving several talent and management firms, according to Polygon.
Twitch said in a blog post that the company has prioritized the "most severe cases" and issued permanent suspensions in line with their findings.
The social media company also added that while it was investigating some allegations, it found out that a lot of the cases happened off the platform, prompting them to seek more information to come up with the appropriate solution.
Aside from banning creators, the company was also committed to creating better tools to help viewers and creators deal with harassment.
Twitch has since worked on its associated policies and created better detection tools for offensive chat usage and usernames.
During its crackdown on sexual harassment cases, Twitch did not outright name any of the creators tied in the cases. However, a Twitter account was able to obtain vital information and has since named all of the streamers involved.
So far, the users BlesRNG, iAmSpoon, DreadedCone, Warwitch TV, and Wolv21 have been banned from the platform.
The most famous livestreamers accused of sexual harassment are Destiny 2 streamer Lono "SayNoToRage," and Tom "Syndicate" Cassell. But the two streamers haven't faced any repercussions from the platform.
Lono has since published an apology video after the allegations came to light, while Cassell denied the allegations against him.
The allegations that began in 2020 are part of a larger wave within the gaming industry that has lasted for years.
Dozens of women have been sharing stories about the misconduct of creators on the platform, including the developers.
Related Article: Twitch Updates Guidelines: 'Hate Simply Has No Place In The Twitch Community'
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Written by Sophie Webster
