“I am a golden god!”
Billy Cruddup in Almost Famous
Aren’t you so glad live-streaming and video technology didn’t exist when you were growing up?!
How many of your idiotic moments would be preserved for all eternity?
Just think about how we cringe at the sight of our old yearbook photos and the outfits we were allowed to leave the house in!
Today’s adolescents have to deal with the potential for every moment being captured either by their own hand via live-streaming or by someone else (see the previous post on Self-Destructing Apps).
Live-streaming has created the ability to have an internet star in every household. App designers are cashing in, playing off of the perfect storm that was created by the Jackass and Guitar Hero “I could do that”-phenomenon as well as the “reality” TV boom and the growth in video technology brought on by the likes of the iPhone and GoPro.
Photo by Kees Streefkerk on Unsplash
There are a number of live-streaming apps on the current app-store market that parents need to be aware of. I’ll briefly mention some that I’ve already covered in other sections of this social media segment before highlighting some newer apps.
Facebook Live – We all know about Facebook and their addition of live streaming video content. Facebook and its live capabilities have been largely responsible for school districts across the country creating social media policies in their student handbooks.
Photo by Sticker Mule on Unsplash
Instagram – Adding the ability to broadcast and upload videos has kept Instagram in the game. It didn’t hurt that they were bought and backed by Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook in 2012.
Vine – This app allows users to create 6 second videos that they can share. It became widely known for the school fight videos that were so widely circulated. Originally, it was designed for ages 12+, but, due to the flooding of pornographic images they upped the age requirement to 17+. Vine was acquired by Twitter in 2012, and Twitter had announced in January of 2017 that videos can only be shared on Twitter or saved on a camera roll as Vine is being phased out.
Persicope – This live streaming app has gained in popularity since 2016.
Periscope’s notoriety took off when a French teenager live streamed her own suicide while some thousand viewers watched the feed. The woman spoke to the camera and built up to throwing herself in front of the Egly station train while some streamers pleaded with her to stop and others criticized and egged her on.
Photo by Tanja Heffner on Unsplash
Live.Me – This live streaming app allows for chatting as well as broadcasting. The user is supposed to be 18+; however, underage users are pretty prevalent. The app uses geolocation features and can allow users to share personal information either intentionally or unintentionally.
Musical.ly – This is an app that has put a musical spin on the Snapchat-video sharing platform.
Users can view, create and post music videos that are 15 seconds or less; however, they don’t self-destruct. In addition, users can view, rate and comment on the videos of other users. What parents have to pay attention to is that there can be sexually explicit content and language as well as the ability to connect to strangers.
Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash
Are we any better for all this technology? No waiting, all here now, the world at your fingers. Thank you for sharing.
It’s a great question! Knowledge is power they say. But you can abuse anything. Obviously there are some technological advancements that we can unequivocally say, “yes, we are better for it”. But there are many we would prefer to undo like Einstein’s work on the atomic bomb. It has shaped entire cultures, generations and eras. Thanks for your comment!
My children have to teach me how to use the newest technology most of the time…I feel so guilty admitting this! Sad, but true.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. I think that’s most parents, particularly with adolescents. Which is ok for the most part. It becomes an issue when parents have absolutely no clue and choose to stay that way. Thanks for your honesty!
Many of these have become more harmful than useful. One way to get them to go away…have parents/grandparents join in. It worked to chase youth from Facebook.
True. But something else will always take it’s place. I definitely think having parents and grandparents involved is crucial! Thanks for your input and taking time to read. Much appreciated 😃
Scary stuff. I’m glad that my children are grown now, and we didn’t have to deal with this kind of stuff. We did limit internet access and monitored EVERYTHING they did online, but it’s out of control now. My adult children are now exercising great prudence and caution with their own children, but their job will be much harder than ours was. 🙁
That’s awesome news! A great success story of limits and structure paying off and being passed on. Yeah. There is just so much out there to be aware of. Thanks so much for stopping by and giving your input! 😃
I think life is very hard for young people now. They have to grow up and experiment with social media and the camera watching them. I wonder how seriously it impacts on their emotional development and understanding of themselves. I only hope I’ve brought my children up with the guidance they need to ensure they’ll make sensible decisions about which keep parts of themselves to keep private.
I’m sure you have! Thank you for your input and taking time to read and comment😃
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Well said! And love the points to be aware of for any concerned individual. Definitely material I plan to repost on my twitter and Tumblr accounts. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Thanks for the kind words and for reposting. Glad you found it useful
My son isn’t yet a teenager (thank heavens?) but I found this list helpful and informative. I don’t use live streaming apps myself, but I think they do represent an opportunity for both good and evil as kids mature. An excellent book, “Irresistible” by Adam Atler explores the various “addictive” pieces of technology in our lives. He didn’t touch on any additions to actually sharing content–though I think that’s a very real concern. Are our lives really lived if we aren’t streaming it live? I know Warren Beatty made some comment to that effect about Madonna in Truth or Dare. Can that be where our kids are headed?
Mine either, thank god! I’ve got some time to learn and get ahead of them at least. I myself am going to venture into live-streaming as a part of my work in mental health; but, we’ll see how it goes. I think a lot of kids are already there in some form or another. I was in a magnet arts high school just this morning and during bell break one of the female students complained that she had only received a few snapchats in response to hers. We as adults do it here on WordPress. We’ve become obsessed with social media validation and how many likes or comments we’ve gotten. Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment!
People should learn logic and responsibility first, then anything else.
Very true. But a lot of parents are headed in so many directions that they’ll give them a tablet or phone just for a few moments peace
Unfortunately
It’s difficult to be a parent now since these kids have access to electronics. School provide chrome books and they don’t block social media websites. I’m dealing with that at this moment.
Wow! Really?! Where abouts are you located (roughly)? I’m shocked that they don’t block the social media sites. I can’t imagine, and for you it’s times 3. Thanks for stopping by and for commenting 😂
I live in Southern California. I know right. I can trust my bio kids on it but one of foster daughters seeks attention from total strangers and the school is giving access to them.
Man! I can’t get over that. Are they taking a school without walls/they have to regulate themselves approach?! Yikes. God bless you! Fostercare teenage girls and social media are a horrible combo. Good luck! 😬
Exactly! I had to take the evidence that she has access to it, according to them they thought it was blocked. Trust me, I can’t sleep thinking what she is up to at school. I wish I could just look away just like social workers do but I care for her. I just took away the chrome book for now until school fixes the issue. Thank you.
You might want to turn them on to the Screenagers movie and see if the PTA would host a screening
Ha ha!