Social Mechanics
13-17
Twitch Sub-A-Thons and Financial Pressure
How streamers use psychological pressure to harvest money from young fans.
THE PRESSURE
Streamers often stay live for days to get more subscribers. They use timers and hype trains to make viewers feel they must pay money to help the streamer.
AWARENESS
1. Para-socialism: You may feel the streamer is your friend, but you are one of thousands of viewers.
2. Artificial Urgency: The timer is a trick to get you to spend money impulsively.
3. Set a Budget: Never spend money to climb a leaderboard. Set a monthly limit for tips.
Streamers often stay live for days to get more subscribers. They use timers and hype trains to make viewers feel they must pay money to help the streamer.
AWARENESS
1. Para-socialism: You may feel the streamer is your friend, but you are one of thousands of viewers.
2. Artificial Urgency: The timer is a trick to get you to spend money impulsively.
3. Set a Budget: Never spend money to climb a leaderboard. Set a monthly limit for tips.