Trash streaming: Toxic race for attention

DW (English)

A streamer just recently died live on camera. It's part of a dangerous trend called trash streaming. Creators risk their lives and viewers pay to watch. What do these online extremes mean for you – and how can you stay safe?

Transcript

00:00A man died live on stream.

00:02And sadly, it's not the first time.

00:04Creators keep pushing limits to get your attention and your money.

00:08So, what happened and how can you spot so-called trash streams?

00:12Let's break it down.

00:13After being tortured live on air,

00:15the French streamer known as Jean-Paul Manoff died in his sleep,

00:18while still live on camera.

00:20The stream had been running non-stop for 12 days.

00:22During that time, his co-streamers assaulted and humiliated him for content.

00:27An autopsy showed his death wasn't caused by the physical abuse,

00:30rather by medical reasons or toxic substances.

00:33It is still unclear if Paul Manoff agreed to the violence or was forced.

00:37The stream was hosted on Kik, a platform already criticized for weak moderation.

00:42Kik launched in 2022.

00:44Its founders also own a crypto casino called Stake.

00:47When Twitch banned gambling streams, many casino streamers moved to Kik,

00:50signing million-dollar deals.

00:52Kik denies it's just a funnel to Stake, but experts note the overlap.

00:56Kik has a reputation of having weaker content moderation than Twitch or YouTube.

01:00Its rules don't allow extreme violence.

01:02But trash streams still get through.

01:05The trash stream trend started in Russia and Poland in the 2010s.

01:09Trash streamers perform degrading, violent and sometimes fatal acts

01:12against themselves or others live.

01:15But here's the twist.

01:16Viewers pay to make it worse.

01:18Donations on platforms like YouTube, Twitch or Kik trigger wilder dares, violence, even abuse.

01:23In short, viewers test how far streamers will go.

01:26This has led to accidents and even deaths before.

01:29Why do people even watch?

01:30Some say it's human curiosity.

01:32The same instinct that drew crowds to gladiator fights or public executions.

01:36Others say it's about control.

01:38Viewers feel powerful when their money seemingly shapes the stream.

01:41That's what a study on the subject showed.

01:43Why do streamers do it?

01:44Simple.

01:45Attention and money.

01:47With every app, video and product, companies and content creators fight for your attention.

01:52And where attention goes, money follows.

01:54Through ads, donations or sales.

01:56Algorithms reward time spent, not quality.

01:59So the more outrageous, controversial or surprising the content, the better it performs.

02:03That's why trash streams thrive.

02:05So, how to protect yourself?

02:07Recognize trash streams and clickbait.

02:10Look out for streamy titles like shocking.

02:13Must watch.

02:14If the stream is full of shouting, violence or dares, red flag.

02:17And if donations trigger extreme behavior, it's a trash stream.

02:21Block and report trash streams.

02:23This not only helps platforms to spot harmful content, but also keeps your feet clean.

02:28And lastly, don't engage.

02:29Even a dislike or angry comment teaches the algorithm you're paying attention.

02:33I think platforms need to step up moderation.

02:36But with big tech moving towards less regulation and millions of videos going live every second,

02:41don't count on it.

02:42So, be careful who you give your attention to.

02:44Look out for your friends.

02:45Stay safe online.

02:46See you next time.

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