Eating disorders are included.
In recent months, Twitch has tightened its content standards, which now cover references to self-harm. Examples of the self-harming behavior that is not permitted have been included to the livestreaming service’s amended Community Guidelines. It is the intention of the updated policy to promote “meaningful discourse” regarding physical and mental health while averting further harm.
While sharing suicide or self-harm stories, broadcasters are not permitted to go into “graphic detail” or share suicide notes. According to studies, this may cause vulnerable individuals to have similar beliefs, according to Twitch. The more stringent policy also targets material that promotes eating disorders, including unhealthful weight-loss plans and initiatives to celebrate typical eating disorder behaviors.
The move comes relatively soon after Twitch clamped down on usernames referencing hard drugs and sex, as well as creators who routinely spread misinformation. Not long after, the Amazon brand rolled out improved reporting tools to help viewers flag inappropriate content while providing a streamlined appeals process. Twitch has dealt with abuses in the weeks since, but it’s clearly hoping the policy changes will reduce the volume of incidents going forward.
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK). Wikipedia maintains a list of crisis lines for people outside of those countries.
