Livestreaming is media that is recorded and broadcasted at the same time to the viewer. It has grown in popularity and many social media companies such as Twitter and Facebook now offer this feature.
LiveMe
LiveMe is a livestreaming app where users can post videos in real time. Viewers can leave comments and gifts on other users’ videos. Users can be found by name or by nearby location.
Core Functions
- Start live videos instantly from wherever using a mobile device.
- Leave comments on videos as well as wide range of ‘gifts’.
- Search for local live videos.
Age Restrictions
Although users must be over 18 to use LiveMe according to the platform’s terms and conditions, there are no effective age verification measures in place.
Risks
- LiveMe is a virtual world of likes and gifts where users could easily instruct children to act inappropriately in return for these gifts.
- As with all livestreaming platforms, children and young people may inadvertently give away personal information.
- Users have limited control over who can view their posts.
- Safety settings are not clearly obvious on the menu.
- LiveMe uses geo-location, so it shares the streamer’s exact location.
Safety Settings
- The LiveMe website says that if a user wants to report inappropriate or offensive content, they should take a screenshot and e-mail it to them.
- There is an option to hide personal information, such as birthday, school, interests, work, and location.
- Account owners can block certain users from commenting on their broadcasts.
Top Tips
- Reporting inappropriate content will improve the platform for everyone.
- Advise users to never give anyway any personal information during livestreams.
Other Platforms
Livestreaming is a function rather than a single app. It can exist on many platforms. Knowing how it works and the risks it carries is central to keeping yourself and others safer online.