With digital platforms continuously evolving, a significant issue has emerged—some streamers push the boundaries of acceptable behavior in pursuit of virality, often dismissing offensive actions as “just jokes.” As times change, we’ve seen streamers exploit their fame through hypersexual behavior, sparking discussions on sexual harassment.
A recent example is Deshae Frost, who went viral for a controversial prank during a Twitch livestream. In the incident, he approached a girl in a Target store and made a highly inappropriate comment, prompting her brother to intervene—all while he continued streaming. Social media quickly condemned Frost, labeling the incident as sexual harassment.
After facing a brief Twitch ban, Frost addressed the controversy in a livestream apology. While the clip circulated widely, many influencers disapproved. Kai Cenat even advised him that some things shouldn’t be used for content and urged him to reconsider his approach. Later, Frost publicly apologized, saying, “I’m deeply sorry for how that went about… I definitely shouldn’t have said that to you, especially being on the phone with your mom. Some pranks are taken too far. I didn’t think much of it. I was just trying to do stuff for the stream. Some people are not meant for the camera and don’t have time for games, and I respect that.”
What’s most troubling about this statement is the implication that labeling inappropriate behavior as a joke diminishes its seriousness. Such actions should never be trivialized, especially when they involve others without their consent.
A deeper issue is that many streamers seem disconnected from real-world social norms, using their online personas as an excuse for disrespectful behavior. These incidents are not isolated—last year, Tylil James’ sister inappropriately touched Michael Rainey Jr. during a livestream. While she later apologized, the recurring nature of these incidents suggests a larger problem within the online community.
Nationwide reports indicate that 81% of women and 43% of men experience sexual harassment. When such behavior is normalized in streaming culture, it distorts perceptions of what constitutes a “playful” environment and downplays serious issues.
In response, Twitch has strengthened its enforcement against hateful conduct and sexual harassment. According to Statista, enforcement actions jumped from 202,330 in the first half of 2023 to 1.55 million in the first half of 2024. This shift has prompted discussions about setting clearer content standards for streamers and viewers alike.
Unfortunately, this troubling behavior isn’t limited to vloggers—it’s also prevalent in online gaming. Statistics show that 38% of women and 35% of surveyed individuals have experienced sexist, homophobic, or transphobic harassment in multiplayer games. Some affected streamers have used their platforms to call out offenders, shedding light on the toxicity in gaming spaces.
In an industry dominated by male streamers, we must ask: Have we truly created a safe space for all individuals to express their creativity? The ongoing incidents of sexual harassment suggest otherwise. Many female streamers have shared strategies to avoid being oversexualized, raising concerns about the double standards they face. The fact that women must modify their behavior to avoid harassment highlights a systemic issue.
But the bigger question remains: Are current measures enough to prevent inappropriate behavior among streamers? Where do we, as a society, draw the line between what’s humorous and what’s harmful? Regardless of intent, violations of this nature should never serve as entertainment. Content creators bear responsibility for their actions, especially considering the influence they have on young audiences. By modeling respect and accountability, they can set a standard for how people should interact—both online and offline. If we fail to address these issues, the long-term impact on future generations could be profound.