video streaming is everywhere. We all have a camera in our pockets, and nearly anyone can live video chat with minimal barrier to entry. Today, the ability to connect to anyone in the world through video is easier than ever — and it will only get easier as technology advances.
One emerging trend in the video space is live-streaming, or streaming video simultaneously captured and broadcast in real time. But live video has a dangerous downside: the lack of control. There’s no “oops” button when live-streaming — anything can happen, and it’s difficult to contain what happens to the content. In some cases, videos are already recorded and downloaded before a stream is shut down.
As live-streaming continues to evolve, many forward-thinking content producers, developers and streaming platforms are beginning to invoke Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help regulate the dangers of live-streaming.
As more companies in more verticals turn to video to bolster their Digital Marketing and social media efforts, it’s increasingly apparent that video is not going away anytime soon. In fact, according to recent research from Cisco, internet video traffic made up 69% of all global consumer internet traffic in 2017, and by the year 2022, it will account for a whopping 82%.
But this wasn’t always the case. When internet services first became available to consumers, even the shortest of videos could take as long as 10 minutes to download and the result was often a fuzzy picture that required significant bandwidth to buffer. Today however, almost anyone is able to broadcast full-screen, high-definition (HD) video — streamed in real time to anyone, anywhere — in a matter of milliseconds.
While internet users, especially millennials, are consuming a seemingly ever-increasing amount of video content, entirely new forms of video content are emerging. Beyond broadcasting live events like sports games, entertainment events, webinars or the coverage of a developing news story, user-generated content (UGC) is on the rise.
Traditionally, video on-demand (VOD), the programming system that allows users to select and watch video content whenever they choose, has dominated the online video market. But trends are shifting toward the advantages live-streaming offers. In fact, the average time spent watching live video is higher than VOD on mobile (3.5 minutes vs. 2.8 minutes), tablets (7.1 vs. 4.1) and especially for users watching on their desktop (34.5 vs. 2.6).
Live-streaming events like presidential rallies and other historical events, crucial moments during sporting events, playing of video games and other occurrences allows content creators to connect with both friends and a wider audience. When used in a positive manner, streaming can help create brand identity, showcase talent, develop skills in communication and be used as a tool in campaigns. But despite the opportunities for sharing and interconnection live-streaming presents, it can be unpredictable as well as difficult to moderate.
Beyond improved opportunities for connecting with the world, live-streaming can also open the door for viewers to see gruesome and uncensored content. From fatal car accidents and incidents of torture to sexual assaults and suicides, the live-streaming of crimes and other horrific incidents on various channels and platforms is on the rise. Experiences once restricted to individuals or small communities can now be shared, in real time, by anyone, and some streams are now reaching millions of audience members.
In addition to the threat posed by being exposed to horrific uncensored content that live-streaming can enable, a number of auxiliary risks also need to be considered by live-streaming channels, platforms and applications, as well as government organizations and the general public.
Because children and teenagers can live-stream video themselves, in some cases, nearly anyone — including child predators — can access that stream.
