Twitch Rolls Out New 'Shield Mode' Feature to Combat Online Hate Raids

Twitch launched its newest safety feature called Shield Mode and here is how streamers can benefit from it.

Recently, Twitch has been actively adding safety features to its platform, including strengthening its measures to prevent child predator activity, according to PC Gamer.

As more users have taken to producing content on the interactive live streaming service, Twitch, the platform rolls out its newest feature, Shield Mode, to create a safer experience, especially for new streamers.

What is Twitch's Shield Mode Feature?

According to Twitch's updated safety guidelines, Shield Mode is a toggle button that activates several customizable safety measures at once while streaming.

While Twitch may be having a hard time coming up with a sure-fire way to ban all hate speech and violators, Shield mode enables users or their moderators to have the authority to restrict chat to viewers or subscribers, impose stricter AutoMod levels and require verification, and lift the restrictions with the toggle of the button once the online hate raid has passed.

The feature also lets users restrict anyone who uses a specific phrase in the stream chat or let users restrict all new chatters. You can simply click to silence everyone during a flood of discriminatory comments from newcomers or bots during a raid.

Additionally, Engadget reports that the primary goal of the feature is to defend against hate raids without requiring targeted Twitch channels to maintain strict security at all times. Streamers can generally maintain welcoming, flexible restrictions that aid in expanding their viewership. Twitch notes that this might also be beneficial for any broadcasters who are highlighted on the front page or who have sensitive topics planned for a stream.

Shield Mode will enable streamers to temporarily boost their protection with the push of a button and quickly restore things to normal after the harassment wave has passed. However, users will still have to file reports for each banned user at launch, but perhaps the feature will be streamlined for easier use in the future.

New Safety Features Come After #TwitchDoBetter Movement

Last year, Twitch was the subject of controversy after receiving criticism for what appears to be a bad and slow reaction to creators on the receiving end of online harassment.

According to The Verge, Twitch streamers complained that the platform was not doing enough to protect or at least proactively communicate with the minority group users, such as people of color or LGBTQ+ streamers affected by a huge rise in harassment campaigns. Thus, the #TwitchDoBetter movement began trending on social media, leading users to organize a one-day boycott of the platform.

However, Twitch has been slowly rolling in new safety features to address its shortcomings in providing a safer user experience.

"Streamers who need online protection the most-including Black and LGBTQIA+ streamers disproportionately targeted by hate raids- often need online visibility the most. So particularly for underrepresented communities, we hope this will be a first step in helping you keep your community open and welcoming to new members, while also maximizing your safety." According to Twitch's safety guidelines.