Twitch, known mostly for gaming and entertainment, has become an unexpected hub for political communication. But who are the people bringing politics to this platform? And what kind of content are they sharing? To find out, researchers used special tools to identify 574 political streamers. They then analyzed the political topics covered in these streams and discovered seven main areas. What's interesting is that these political discussions often use unique emoticons, called "emotes, " to express opinions.
But it's not just about the streamers. The audience also plays a big role. Researchers found that a few users dominate the conversations, leading the discussion among viewers. This research sheds light on how new tech like live-streaming and chat features can change how people, especially the younger crowd, engage with politics.
