Twitch has seen an increase of harassment on POC and LGBTQ+ streamers recently, prompting the #ADayOffTwitch movement. This prevalent toxicity is most evident in “hate raids” – where Twitch's raid feature is used to flood a channel with slurs and foul language. A number of streamers have called for a boycott of the Twitch platform on Wednesday, September 1.
I’m looking at you, games industry. I’m fortunate enough to have this crossover with my platform so please pay attention to what’s happening in the streaming space right now. I know there’s been so much going on recently, but please support this movement in any way you can.
— El (@elliejoypanic) August 21, 2021
Spearheaded by Rek It Raven, LuciaEverBlack, and Shineypen, the #ADayOffTwitch movement follows the #TwitchDoBetter campaign. While Twitch has responded to the calls to do better for its streamers, including updates to their proactive filters, channel-level ban evasion detection, and the like, the problems continue to persist.
In a TwitLonger post, organizer Rek It Raven responded to opinions opposing the movement. They also enumerated what the protest aims to achieve with regards to the Twitch platform:
- Twitch needs to hold a round table with a group or groups of marginalized creators who have been affected so that way open and honest discussion can lead to the creation and implementation of proactive tool sets.
- Proactive protections that could be used or implemented immediately would be enabling creators to choose the account age of prospective chatters, adding an accept or deny button that mods can use to monitor incoming raids, requiring 2FA for all accounts, etc.
- Remove the ability to attach more than 3 accounts to a verified email.
- Provide us with transparency in time frame for implementing these tools.
From the #ADayOffTwitch organizers:
Additionally, we reached out to the #ADayOffTwitch main organizers to hear more about the movement:
From Rek It Raven:
“Shiney actually approached me with the idea and I loved it so we had a quick call to discuss some of the logistics of it. We initially wanted to take our time planning but with all the doxxing happening we had to move quicker. Lucia was interested in something similar and had approached me at a separate time. So we got together and planned it really quick and settled on the hashtag #ADayOffTwitch.”
From ShineyPen:
“The idea to have a walkout came to me after seeing the impact that the #TwitchDoBetter movement had. I believed that staging a walkout as a protest could really add to the movement and bring people together to stand in solidarity. Its really about bringing together our voices to make them louder and stronger together.”
From LuciaEverBlack:
“I think it was the most obvious response for us because we aren't listened to at all, and it didn't make sense to use Twitch as a place to congregate to talk about issues they don't address nor listen to. #ADayOffTwitch is anything but silence, it's about taking our voices elsewhere, where they are listened to, and amplified. Our absence on the platform is meant to take away the bright colors and lights that are a facet of diversity. Without us Twitch is a boring vanilla place and people will notice that on the day of.“
Who has joined the #ADayOffTwitch Movement?
Several prominent figures in gaming have also rallied behind the #ADayOffTwitch movement, including KindaFunny, AbleGamers COO Steven Spohn, Steve Saylor, and DaftLimmy. “Stream Professor” EpoxVox also released a video “to provide some broader thoughts on the general feedback I'd seen across the board from quite a few creators.”
In light of the progress made from #TwitchDoBetter, hopefully, #ADayOffTwitch helps further the cause even more. Twitch clearly needs to take more responsibility to prevent harassment and toxicity within its platform.
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