In recent months, Twitch has taken a harder stance on content creators who are in violation of the platform’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines policies. This has led to some high-profile bans on Twitch, where even some of the biggest channels on the platform have been hit with lengthy suspensions and permanent bans. Social media platforms are still a relatively new frontier, and establishing policies and enforcing them is a challenge. The latest streamer to be banned, Craig “Mini Ladd” Thompson, has been hit with a likely permanent ban for good reason.
On Twitch, or any platform where content creation is king, anyone with a webcam or with moderate video making skills can start producing. This is a democratizing tool, in that anyone can do it, but the window into a person’s world and the strange closeness between creator and fans can lead to revealing or problematic situations. When a Twitch streamer threatens their son live on air, it results in an immediate ban, and hopefully alerts the authorities to check in on the child’s well-being. Others who build a fanbase abuse the position of power that comes with having adoring fans.
Thompson’s ban on Twitch appears to be permanent after a lengthy investigation into accusations leveled against the streamer by two fans, who claim that Thompson solicited inappropriate pictures from underage fans. While Twitch has only released a generic statement on the matter, Thompson’s Twitch Partner status has been removed, which is usually a sign that a ban is permanent.
The accusations were made public in June of 2020, and while Thompson has maintained a low profile since the accusations, only posting an apology since, it would seem that the evidence against him is substantial enough to warrant a ban. This case has some unfortunate parallels to that of CallMeCarson who has been silent across social media since allegations of similarly exploitative behavior emerged in January of this year.
Twitch has been known to have a heavy hand in some judgments made against streamers on its platform, such as the recent ban against Warzone streamer Tommey. But in cases like Thompson’s, Twitch is taking the correct action in deplatforming him. Building a fanbase on Twitch or YouTube to then victimize fans with predatory behavior is thoroughly unacceptable.
With Twitch taking a more active stance with regard to toxic communities and behavior like this, such as the banning of AirSoftPhatty for his chat’s hateful behavior, the hope is that the more unsavory aspects of Twitch can be excised. The platform has great potential for fun, enjoyment, and positivity, but too often is dragged down by news like this.
Source: DualShockers
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