Furthermore, the gaming industry , much in line with Twitch's philosophy, is rife with narratives and representations that reinforce gender stereotypes , sexualizing and infantilizing female characters . This not only affects viewers' perception, but also sets a standard for what kind of content is valued and promoted.
The algorithms of these platforms often favor content that generates more engagement , which can lead to increased promotion of streams that feature sexualized women for male consumption . This type of content can attract more views and engagement than other types.
On the other hand, the interactive nature of streaming platforms fosters an environment where instant gratification through likes, comments and donations can strongly influence the type of content created. This can put pressure on female content creators to conform to sexist expectations in order to maintain or grow their audience.
Another important aspect to consider is anonymity . Users uruguay number data hide behind their usernames and can encourage the expression of sexist attitudes and behaviors. Female content creators frequently face harassment and degrading comments, which not only affects their well-being, but also discourages more women from participating in these types of formats. Let's just say it's not a safe place for us.
Lack of representation
Despite the fact that there are successful women on Twitch and other streaming platforms, the lack of role models and representation remains an issue. This is due to multiple factors, including harassment of female creators, pressure to meet certain aesthetic standards, and less promotion of female-led channels that don't fit traditional gender expectations.
Platform Policies
Twitch has policies in place aimed at preventing harassment, hate, and sexually explicit content. However, enforcement of these policies can be inconsistent. While content that sexualizes or degrades people is prohibited, the line between acceptable and unacceptable content is blurry, which can lead to inconsistent moderation. In fact, when you click on such content you'll get a message like this: