Streaming Platform Live.me Encourages Users To Literally Squash Hate With Anti-Bullying Campaign

Live.me is doing its part to combat cyberbullying. The streaming platform has launched a campaign called #SquashTheHate, in which it invites its users to literally squash objects emblazoned with examples of abusive speech.

In each #SquashTheHate video, creators write the sort of hateful words that typically appear in internet comments on physical objects. In some cases, the object bearing the abusive speech is an actual squash vegetable, which takes the campaign to a new level of meta. No matter the vessels creators choose to contain the invective they wish to squash, the next step is a cathartic one: Using a baseball bat or some other forceful methods, the participants literally smash the hateful words they have written, thus symbolically pledging to eradicate cyberbullying.

Live.me broadcasters like Justina Valentine and Jackelyn Shultz are among those who have created their own videos as part of the #SquashTheHate initiative. As with the Ice Bucket Challenge, participating squashers are invited to “tag” three other creators at the end of their clip, thus creating the potential for a viral phenomenon.

#SquashTheHate is not just a symbolic gesture. Live.me has also pledged to donate $1, split between anti-bullying organizations The Trevor Project and Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, for each in-platform share the campaign receives, up to 10,000 shares. “#SquashTheHate is meant to empower our users, and encourage them to take a stand against cyber-bullying,” said Khudor Annous, Head of Marketing and Partnerships for Live.me, in a press release. “As our community has continued to grow, the safety and comfort of our users remains our top priority, and we want to make sure we’re reiterating that in creative ways.”

Live.me, as one of the platforms benefiting from the mobile live streaming boom, has built up a passionate creative community. To track its top users each week, follow our Tubefilter Live.me Rankings.