Twitch: A Leading Hub for Gamers, but Exposing Children and Teens to Potential Risks

By Esther Claudette Gittens 

Twitch, a leading live-streaming platform, has become a central hub for gamers worldwide, attracting millions of viewers daily. While it offers entertainment and community engagement, the platform also exposes children and teenagers to potential risks, especially when engaging with certain popular games. Read more at www.askthelawyer.us. To read the complete analysis in our publication, click here, and on our personal injury blog, click here.

Introduction

Twitch, a leading live-streaming platform, has become a central hub for gamers worldwide, attracting millions of viewers daily. While it offers entertainment and community engagement, the platform also exposes children and teenagers to potential risks, especially when engaging with certain popular games. This article analyzes the top 10 games on Twitch as of January 2025, explores their appeal, and discusses the potential dangers they pose to young audiences, providing parents with insights to safeguard their children.

1. Just Chatting

“Just Chatting” is a category where streamers engage directly with their audience, discussing various topics beyond gaming. Its versatility and personal interaction have made it the most-watched category on Twitch. 

Potential Dangers:

• Unfiltered Content: Conversations can cover mature or inappropriate topics not suitable for younger viewers.
• Inadequate Moderation: Live interactions may include offensive language or behavior without immediate moderation.

Parental Guidance:

• Supervise Viewing: Monitor the streamers your child watches to ensure content appropriateness.
• Discuss Online Interactions: Educate your child about engaging safely in live chats and recognizing inappropriate behavior.

2. Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V)

“Grand Theft Auto V” is an open-world action-adventure game known for its mature themes, including violence, crime, and explicit content. Its immersive gameplay and role-playing servers contribute to its popularity on Twitch.

Potential Dangers:

• Exposure to Violence and Adult Themes: The game includes graphic content inappropriate for children.
• Influence of In-Game Behavior: Exposure to criminal activities and mature themes may impact impressionable minds.

Parental Guidance:

• Enforce Age Restrictions: Ensure your child adheres to age-appropriate gaming and streaming content.
• Open Dialogue: Discuss the distinction between game content and real-life behavior to provide context.

3. Path of Exile 2

“Path of Exile 2” is an action role-playing game (ARPG) known for its complex mechanics and dark fantasy themes. Its challenging gameplay attracts a dedicated audience on Twitch.

Potential Dangers:

• Dark Themes: The game’s setting and storyline may include disturbing imagery unsuitable for younger players.
• In-Game Purchases: Microtransactions can encourage spending real money on virtual items.

Parental Guidance:

• Review Game Content: Assess the game’s themes and content to determine suitability for your child.
• Monitor Spending: Set up parental controls to manage or restrict in-game purchases.

4. League of Legends

“League of Legends” is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game with a massive player base and competitive scene, making it a staple on Twitch.

Potential Dangers:

• Toxic Community Behavior: Competitive nature can lead to exposure to negative interactions, including harassment.
• Addictive Gameplay: The game’s design encourages extended play sessions, potentially impacting daily routines.

4. League of Legends (Continued)

Potential Dangers:

• Toxic Community Behavior: Competitive gameplay often results in aggressive behavior, insults, and harassment, which can negatively impact a child’s mental health.
• Addiction Risks: The game’s competitive nature and progression systems encourage long play sessions.

Parental Guidance:

• Enable Chat Restrictions: Limit communication to pre-approved friends to avoid toxic encounters.
• Monitor Playtime: Use parental controls or screen time limits to manage gaming duration.
• Teach Coping Strategies: Help kids handle losses and negative interactions appropriately.

Editorial credit: Muhammad Zakwan Alfaruqi / shutterstock.com

5. Valorant

Valorant is a tactical first-person shooter (FPS) with a competitive focus, combining team strategy with fast-paced action.

Potential Dangers:

• Violence and Combat Themes: While cartoonish, the violence may still be inappropriate for younger players.
• Toxic Behavior: Voice and text chats are often sources of harassment and bullying.
• Addictive Gameplay: The ranking system encourages prolonged play to climb ranks.

Parental Guidance:

• Disable Voice Chat: Restrict voice chat to prevent verbal abuse from strangers.
• Monitor Progression: Track achievements to ensure balanced gameplay habits.
• Focus on Teamwork Lessons: Encourage children to practice collaboration and sportsmanship.

6. Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)

Counter-Strike 2, the updated version of the iconic CS:GO, is a first-person shooter focused on team-based missions and competitive matches.

Potential Dangers:

• Graphic Violence: The realistic combat simulation may not be suitable for younger players.
• Gambling Elements: Loot boxes (weapon skins) have led to concerns about gambling behavior.
• Toxicity in Chats: Open communication can lead to bullying, harassment, and inappropriate language.

Parental Guidance:

• Turn Off Chat Features: Disable chat or restrict it to private teams.
• Address Gambling Risks: Teach kids about the dangers of gambling behaviors tied to loot boxes.
• Set Time Limits: Ensure balanced gaming habits to prevent excessive screen time.

7. Minecraft

Minecraft remains one of the most popular games on Twitch due to its creativity and family-friendly design. It allows players to build worlds, mine resources, and survive in sandbox environments.

Potential Dangers:

• Multiplayer Risks: Public servers may expose children to inappropriate language or predatory behavior.
• Addiction Concerns: Open-ended gameplay may lead to excessive time spent online.
• Modifications (Mods): User-generated mods can sometimes contain inappropriate content.

Parental Guidance:

• Use Whitelisted Servers: Limit multiplayer access to private or pre-approved servers.
• Promote Offline Play: Encourage single-player or local games to reduce online risks.
• Review Mods Carefully: Only download mods from trusted sources and verify their content.

Editorial credit: Pryimak Anastasiia / shutterstock.com

8. Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a battle royale game featuring team-based gameplay and strategic combat. Its free-to-play model and exciting gameplay attract younger audiences.

Potential Dangers:

• Violence: Although less graphic than other FPS games, it still focuses heavily on combat.
• Voice Chat Issues: Players may face bullying or harassment in open voice channels.
• Microtransactions: Cosmetic items and battle passes can lead to overspending.

Parental Guidance:

• Limit Voice Chat to Friends Only: Reduce exposure to toxic or harmful interactions.
• Monitor In-Game Purchases: Set spending limits or disable purchases altogether.
• Teach Sportsmanship: Reinforce the importance of positive gaming behavior.

9. Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer horror game where players act as survivors or killers in a tense, hide-and-seek gameplay style.

Potential Dangers:

• Scary and Violent Themes: The horror and gore may be too intense for younger audiences.
• Online Communication Risks: Chat features expose players to possible harassment.
• Addictive Play: The adrenaline-driven gameplay may lead to extended sessions.

Parental Guidance:

• Enforce Age Ratings: Ensure children meet the 18+ age requirement for the game.
• Monitor Chat Logs: Check conversations for inappropriate content.
• Set Playtime Limits: Manage time spent playing to avoid addiction.

10. Call of Duty: Warzone

Warzone is a free-to-play battle royale game featuring realistic combat and expansive maps. It ranks high on Twitch due to its popularity and frequent updates.

Potential Dangers:

• Graphic Violence: The realistic shooting mechanics can be disturbing for younger audiences.
• Toxic Chat Environment: Voice and text chats often include inappropriate language and bullying.
• Predatory Risks: Open matchmaking can lead to contact with strangers, some of whom may have malicious intent.

Parental Guidance:

• Disable Open Chat Features: Limit communication to pre-approved friends.
• Monitor Gameplay Duration: Enforce time restrictions to maintain healthy habits.
• Discuss Media Violence: Talk about the impact of violent games and how to differentiate between fantasy and reality.

Conclusion

Twitch has revolutionized the gaming industry, allowing children and teenagers to engage with their favorite games and personalities. However, the platform’s popularity also poses risks, particularly when it comes to mature content, online predators, and toxic interactions.

Key Parental Strategies to Enhance Safety:

1. Enable Parental Controls: Use Twitch’s safety settings to block explicit streams and manage chat features.
2. Monitor Viewing Habits: Check watch history and subscribed channels to ensure content appropriateness.
3. Encourage Positive Role Models: Guide kids to follow streamers who promote kindness, inclusivity, and responsible gaming.
4. Educate About Online Safety: Teach children how to recognize and report inappropriate behavior.
5. Limit Screen Time: Establish rules for how long children can play games or watch streams daily.

Citations:

1. Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2018). Teens, Social Media & Technology. Pew Research Center.
2. Livingstone, S., & Helsper, E.J. (2007). Children, Online Risks, and the Digital World. New Media & Society.
3. Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). (2023). Video Game Ratings and Parental Controls.

By combining supervision, communication, and the right tools, parents can ensure their children enjoy gaming safely while avoiding the potential dangers present on Twitch and similar platforms.