Scrolling through TikTok Live can feel a little dystopian at the best of times. You can watch people sleep, and wake them from their slumber with Homer Simpson noises. Or you can look on, incredulous, as a grown man munches on an entire aloe vera plant, all in the name of “health benefits”.
It might seem like we’re past the point of no return, but with so much content out there, live streamers have to get more and more out there if they want to draw in viewers – which perhaps explains TikTok’s latest trend, NPC streaming, and why it might just be one to watch out for.
What is NPC streaming?
Put simply, NPC streaming is an online phenomenon, primarily on TikTok, where creators act like characters in a video game, and people pay for them to do it.
NPC stands for non-playable character. These are characters that you’ll see in the background or come across in video games. They normally have limited movements, and say a few choice phrases, never deviating from their script. In NPC streaming, creators take to the internet to play as these characters – usually over TikTok Live – acting as if they have been pre-programmed with set repetitive phrases and reactions, just like the folks in the background you might encounter in a video game.
What do NPC streamers do?
During TikTok livestreams, the phrases and movements the “character” reacts with come from virtual gifts, which viewers can purchase and send to creators as they stream. NPC creators simply just have to channel their inner Alexa, responding to particular gift commands with their own set of selected phrases. For example, one of the trend’s pioneers, TikToker Pinkydoll, responds to gifts with phrases like “ice cream so good”, “slay, huh”, and balloon popping noises.
The sounds and reactions tap into already popular trends on TikTok, such as ASMR, where streamers speak or make a variety of sounds very close to their microphone, such as calming rain or the purr of a cat, to trigger a physical or emotional response in their viewers.
So what’s the motivation for NPC streamers? Like most things online, there’s the potential to go viral, teamed with an opportunity to make some money. Considering some of TikTok’s gifts are priced at well over $700 a pop, it stands to reason that there’s some serious cash to be made for creators giving the new phenomenon a go.
Why is NPC streaming so popular on TikTok?
While some find the trend a little strange, to say the least, others are drawn to NPC streaming videos because they’re entertaining: viewers might find them funny, goofy and silly. Because NPC streamers perform specific actions when sent particular “gifts” during their stream, others may enjoy the engagement aspect of the live show. They want to see how the real-life person reacts in real time, while still playing a character – and what happens if they break it at any point.
What’s the controversy over NPC streaming?
There is some speculation that NPC streaming has sexual undertones, as these live videos let viewers feel a sense of control over the streamer. Essentially, payments are being offered in exchange for the watcher feeling like they are able to make the human on the other side of the screen perform for them.
While the livestreams themselves aren’t explicit or overtly sexual – they’d be banned if they were – you might also say that it isn’t a coincidence that the most successful NPC streamers are conventionally attractive young women. Many of the popular NPC streamers, such as Pinkydoll and Cherry Crush, have their own OnlyFans, but that doesn’t mean they’re using sexual content on their TikTok pages, and the two spaces are kept entirely separate.
Is NPC streaming safe for kids?
If your child has TikTok, it’s safe to say they will come across inappropriate content at some point during their scroll – it’s just a matter of time. TikTok’s algorithm is tailored to the individual that uses it, but if a trend has gone viral, it’s highly likely that a related video will pop up in your child’s FYP (for you page).
NPC streaming certainly isn’t dangerous, and while it’s not explicitly inappropriate, it’s hard to tell what exactly it even is, apart from watching a stranger online repeat the same gibberish over and over again while popping individual popcorn kernels with a set of hair straighteners (no, really). With any luck, this trend is simply one which will fade into nothingness – though it could easily be replaced with something even more surprising.
The real issue behind trends like this is whether it’s safe or not to let your children watch livestream content. TikTok Live is full of questionable, often downright strange content, and because it’s difficult to moderate, your child could come up against pretty much anything as they explore. Criminals have even broadcasted from inside jails, and TikTok streamers trying to scam viewers is also relatively common. And there’s no way to control it: even with TikTok’s Family Pairing service, the platform’s own set of native parental controls, under-18s can still watch TikTok Live, although they won’t be able to send gifts.
Talking to your teen about their TikTok feed
TikTok is everywhere, and it’s such a part of popular culture, especially among younger people, that it’s difficult to avoid. To stay one step ahead, it’s best to have healthy conversations about your teen’s social media use and the type of content they’re consuming online. Be curious and open, and learn about the app yourself. Watch some videos to get a feel for what your child might be up against.
By combining curiosity and conversation with digital wellbeing tools such as TikTok’s Family Pairing, and parental control tools like Qustodio which allow you to set daily time limits on social media, or restrict social media apps entirely, you’ll be able to create a more positive experience for your teen as they explore new things online – and learn about viral trends together, rather than being kept in the dark.
