Ws in the Chat

Rachel Lee
Nov 12
3 min read

By Andrew Xie Nov. 12, 2025

The school alarm blares at the University of Akron in Ohio, signaling the start of the day. Hundreds of students rise from their slumber to prepare for class, but they do not pack their backpacks with traditional supplies such as pencils or textbooks; instead, they fill their backpacks with cutting-edge livestreaming equipment, ready to broadcast their classes to major platforms such a Twitch, YouTube or Kick. This is not a typical day of college lectures. It is the set of Streamer University: a four-day, invitation-only event for 120 aspiring livestreamers, hosted by Twitch megastar Kai Cenat.

Over the past decade, live streaming has evolved from a method for entertainers to connect with small communities into a global industry that allows millions of users to watch and interact with videos in real time, whether it be Jynxzi’s gaming sessions, HasanAbi’s political commentary or IShowSpeed’s trip to a foreign country.

The concept of live streaming is not new. In 2007, Justin.tv—which was shut down in 2014—introduced the idea of “lifecasting”, where users would broadcast their daily lives online. When Twitch branched off from Justin.tv in 2011 to focus on video games, it quickly became the frontrunner in the live-streaming world. The COVID-19 pandemic has since dramatically accelerated this rise, as people sought connection and community while isolated at home. Twitch’s average viewership doubled in 2020, and by 2024, it averaged 2.4 million concurrent viewers and over 95,000 active channels at any given time, per TwitchTracker.

Originally dominated by video game content, Twitch has since diversified. By late 2019, its “Just Chatting” category began overtaking gaming streams in popularity, with many streamers shifting their content toward non-gaming content as viewers began to show greater interest in engaging with creators directly. Conversations and casual hangouts offered a more personal and interactive experience, allowing audiences to connect with streamers as individuals rather than players behind a screen.

“What makes streaming so special is how real it feels. When you watch a streamer, there is no editing or filters—it is just them. You can also talk to them in chat, and it feels like you are part of their world for a bit,” Junior Aiden Ro said.

Viewers also form close-knit groups on platforms like Reddit and Discord, where they share clips, discuss moments and further support their favorite streamers. This interactivity and sense of authenticity have drawn celebrities from a variety of fields—such as Lando Norris, Post Malone and Snoop Dogg—to use streaming platforms as a means to authentically connect to their audiences.

“A streamer that I have known for a long time is IShowSpeed. Ever since I first saw his clips on social media during middle school, I have seen him grow from a normal high schooler into one of the world’s biggest creators. His unpredictable and entertaining personality are why people keep watching him—you can tell he is being himself,” Senior Raahil Sengupta said.

For creators, streaming can serve as both a passion and a source of profit. Streaming is heavily monetized, with streamers able to earn through multiple revenue streams: ads, monthly viewer subscriptions, sponsorships and viewer donations. Top creators earn millions each year, but smaller creators often find it difficult to gain attention and profits. Though many creators are unable to stream full-time, they may find other rewards: communities, friendships, self-expression and a space to share their passions with others.

Although the industry continues to adapt to streamers' needs, it is not perfect. The pressure for top creators to maintain long and consistent broadcast schedules—with daily streams lasting from 2 to 6 hours—can lead to burnout and anxiety. When combined with harassment online and toxic chat behavior, streamers’ mental health often suffer, with potentially devastating consequences. In 2019, Twitch streamer Desmond Daniel Amofah, known online as Etika, took his own life after a decline in mental health due to experiencing intense personal and online pressures that made him feel like he had "let people down," as expressed in a final video he uploaded before his death.

Events such as Kai Cenat’s Streamer University cement live streaming’s status: a legitimate career path and cultural phenomenon shaping how people interact with media. As streaming grows, the industry will only continue toevolve. In the meantime, it demonstrates the intersection of entertainment, technology and human connection.

About the Contributors

Andrew Xie

sports & opinions editor

Andrew Xie is a sophomore at Leland High School and the Sports and Opinions Page Editor for The Charger Account. When he's not sleeping in on weekends, you can find him playing video games, watching movies, or hanging out with friends.

Mingyue Xiao

artist

Mingyue Xiao is a junior at Leland High School and an artist for The Charger Account. She keeps busy reading, dancing, and drawing designs for her art projects.