Live streaming is all the rage these days!
Especially with social distancing measures and COVID-19. What is live streaming, you ask? Live streaming is the process of simultaneously recording and broadcasting live video to an online audience.
Apps that have this feature include:
- Houseparty
- LIVE.ME
- Twitch
- Zoom
Several of these apps are explained in our previous post about nine popular apps teens use in 2020. Some of these live streaming apps allow you to play trivia and other games with your family and friends, so it’s more than just chatting back and forth!
Open communication with children is very important when it comes to online activities. Building a relationship of trust with tweens can help them realize that they can come to you to discuss any online incidents.
RCMP CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT MARIE-CLAUDE ARSENAULT
That being said, we can’t lose sight of the fact that there is also a darker side to live streaming. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has seen a 57% increase in reports of adults contacting children ages 8 – 12 to engage in sexual activities over live stream, between 2018 and 2019 alone.
Violence Prevention Avalon East has created a toolkit to teach parents:
- What is live streaming?
- Statistics about live streaming
- How can you make sure your children are safe while live streaming?
- General live streaming safety tips
For more information about online safety, check out our online safety resources.
Are you an educator, or looking for a way to talk about bullying and online safety with your children? Check out our K-12 toolkits!