Twitch has introduced parental control tools that allow guardians to restrict teens aged 13-17 from livestreaming on the platform, the first such feature since its 2011 launch. The new controls also enable parents to set time limits, disable direct messages, manage content recommendations, and receive weekly updates on their teen's activity. These features were announced this week and are accessible via the Family Center in Account Settings, according to medianama.com.
To activate these controls, parents must create a separate account and link it to their teen's Twitch account. This linkage grants access to management features and sends weekly email summaries detailing the channels watched and hours spent on the platform. The connection automatically ends when the user turns 18, restoring full account autonomy. Twitch, headquartered in San Francisco and owned by Amazon since 2014, averages 31 million daily visitors, making it the largest video game streaming service globally, medianama.com reported.
The introduction of these parental controls addresses growing concerns about teen safety and content exposure on live streaming platforms. Twitch’s move aligns with trends seen in other social media and streaming services that have implemented similar family oversight tools. By restricting livestreaming capabilities and other interactions, Twitch aims to provide a safer environment for younger users while giving guardians greater oversight, a feature previously unavailable on the platform.
The new parental controls are now available to all Twitch users aged 13 to 17. The Family Center dashboard, where these settings can be managed, is accessible under the Account Settings tab. Twitch’s daily average of 31 million visitors underscores the potential impact of these tools on a significant user base, as detailed by medianama.com.