[forsythe_]

> Twitch is like a low cost off-ramp for having friends. The better, well adjusted version of twitch is that you log on to xbox, playstation or PC, hit up your friends and play some games and chat. That's the ideal. Then everything tumbles out from there, people without the time, social skills or inclination log on to twitch and form parasocial relationships instead.

Yeah, this is spot-on based on my experience.

I got into Twitch in the early days and have been a watcher and lurker for most of the past 10 years. The periods where I've been most content and fulfilled in life have easily correlated with spending less time on Twitch because those needs were being met in a healthier way.

On one hand I'm thankful to have discovered it because the faux-social fulfillment it provided when I've dealt with depression. It wasn't ideal but it was a good option in times where I didn't have energy to commit to real life relationships. OTOH, I wonder if ignoring Twitch altogether would have pushed me to get out and do the things that would have helped me climb out of the hole sooner.

[expensive_news]

I never watched Twitch but this is true of myself for YouTube and Reddit.

I was never ‘happy’ when I scrolled through Reddit for 3 hours. (Reddit in particular was horrible for my mental health). I never watched 4 hours of YouTube when I had friends to go out with. Finally I realized that I felt much better when I cut those out and spent time on more important things.

All of these websites are trying to take as much of your attention as they can and it’s difficult to have a healthy relationship with them.