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Live streaming app Live.me – What parents need to know

Internet Matters Team | July 4th, 2017

We work collaboratively across industry, government and with schools to reach UK families with tools, tips and resources to help children benefit from connected technology smartly and safely.

Live.me is a social platform that allows users to connect with others and earn virtual goods which can be exchanged for prizes, rewards and cash.

Users are able to go live and instantaneously share what they are doing to a select audience and with over 20 million downloads since it was released in 2016 the app is increasing in popularity.

How does Live.me work?

The live video streaming app lets a user (known on the app as a ‘broadcaster’) broadcast videos, chat, share and follow different broadcasters. By clicking on one of the many users, they are taken directly to their live feed where they can view videos.

Broadcasters can also share the live feed while watching on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media accounts.

Setting up an account

You can set up an account by using an existing Facebook, Twitter or email account

Users are asked to provide profile picture, username, gender and birthday.

You then are asked to give the app access to your contacts, locations and phone settings to make calls

More info

For more information about the app, see Live.me FAQ

Visit site

Account setup

Sign up page

Learderboard

Notifications on app

What is Live.me’s minimum age?

The terms of use specify that users be at least 18 or have parental permission to use the tool, but tweens and young teens are broadcasting via the app.

What can you do on the app?

Livestreaming and chat function

You can swipe right during a broadcast to remove comments and animations or swipe left to bring them back and swipe up and down from one broadcast to another.

You can also broadcast together with your friends known as ‘beam’ in the Live.me app. This allows a user to do a dual broadcast with another user.

Earn real money as a broadcaster

Gifts are bought and turn into diamonds for the broadcaster. Diamonds turn into dollars once you reach ~40,000. The diamond totals keep accumulating, even after you cash out or exchange for coins.

What is the aim of the app

To encourage users to livestream with viewers, chat and meet new people
Grow in popularity on the channel and feature on ‘Leaderboard’
Make money by encouraging ‘viewers’ to buy gifts/coins to turn into cash

Star points for activity

Guide to becoming VIP

Gaining popularity on app

What parents need to be aware of?

Live streaming ‘life’ can be risky, especially for a young person who may be influenced to share too much personal information or inappropriate content to gain more viewers or likes.

Broadcasters can receive live responses which can potentially mean that inappropriate content is sent to children. Parents should take extreme caution when deciding if their children should use this app based on the risks.

As this app has a strong emphasis on getting followers and the potential chance of becoming famous is even embedded in the title, which may encourage broadcasters into doing more outrageous things.

We’d advise parents to talk to their children and assess whether they are equipped with the tools and understanding to deal with these issues before letting them use the app.

Things you can do to keep children safe on the app

Block a user if you notice inappropriate behaviour, bullying, or any other rule-breaking conduct on Live.me, you may block a user from chatting on your broadcast and profile by tapping on their name, navigating to the profile page, and then choosing “block”