According to the “Teenagers 3.0” report by NASK (Polish National Research Institute), 26% of teenagers watch so-called patostreams—vulgar, obscene, and violence-filled live broadcasts streamed on social media and streaming platforms. This phenomenon, which has a harmful impact on young people, continues to gain traction online, while legal regulations struggle to keep up with technological advancements. Experts warn that this is not just a passing trend, but a serious social issue that requires coordinated educational and awareness efforts.
What Are Patostreams?
Patostreams primarily include:
- Pornographic content
- Violence and physical assaults
- Encouragement of harmful behaviors, such as drug use, self-harm, and even suicide
- Live broadcasts showing crimes, including theft, assaults, and even rape
During live streams, young viewers witness brutality, illegal acts, and dangerous behavior, which experts warn is spiraling out of control.
“The phenomenon of patoinfluencers—those who gain popularity by streaming disturbing content—has existed since the early days of social media. These are live-streamed events featuring extreme, controversial, and often illegal activities, such as public drinking parties. Patostreaming peaked between 2015 and 2018, laying the groundwork for ‘freak fights,’ where patostreamers were brought into the spotlight and forced into combat. This fueled the popularity of patostreams, which continue to promote harmful role models, especially for young people,” explains Wojtek Kardyś, EU Digital Ambassador in Poland and an expert in online communication.
Teenagers at Risk
The “Teenagers 3.0” report reveals alarming statistics:
- 40% of technical school students admit to watching patostreams
- 30% of high school students watch them
- 28% of elementary school students have been exposed to them
- Boys are nearly twice as likely as girls to consume such content
Interest in violent and obscene online broadcasts increases with age, and experts warn that such exposure can severely impact teenagers’ mental health.
“Patostreaming causes psychological and cultural degradation. Constant exposure to these low-quality, destructive materials numbs young people’s empathy. They lose their sense of right and wrong and become desensitized to human suffering,” Kardyś warns.
“If we allow children to watch these materials, we normalize pathological behavior. They begin to see it as a way to gain fame and wealth. Popular patostreamers can earn 10,000–20,000 PLN ($2,500–$5,000) per stream. It’s lucrative and widely watched, so young people think: ‘I want to do this too.’”
Why Is Patostreaming So Hard to Control?
One of the biggest challenges in combating patostreaming is its widespread availability online.
“Patoinfluencers exist on every platform, because controversy generates clicks. Algorithms dictate what gets displayed, not human dignity. If clicks decide that extreme content is more engaging, then that’s what gets promoted. Patostreams are everywhere—on YouTube, social media, and paid streaming platforms where users can subscribe to adult-only content. Unfortunately, online pathology reaches every corner of the internet,” Kardyś explains.
Another factor fueling the spread of patostreaming is peer pressure.
“When I ask young people why they watch patostreams, they say: ‘Everyone watches, so I do too.’ If it’s the main topic of conversation and they don’t know what a certain patoinfluencer did, they feel excluded from their social group. Being alienated is one of the worst things that can happen to a teenager. They watch to stay relevant. Additionally, it’s a form of rebellion—in my youth, kids listened to heavy metal to separate themselves from their parents. Today, they watch patostreams,” he explains.
Parents Are Often Unaware of the Problem
One of the most concerning findings from the NASK report is that teenagers watch patostreams twice as often as their parents think they do.
“This may be due to the lack of communication between parents and their children,” Kardyś says. *”To this day, I haven’t seen a single public awareness campaign educating parents and young people about this problem. Are schools talking about it? No. Are there conferences on this topic? Maybe one per year. This issue is being ignored and swept under the rug.
I’m not saying we need new laws. I’m saying we need to talk about this. Education is key—if we inform teachers and parents, that knowledge will reach young people. But we need to start the conversation.”*
Government Plans to Address the Issue
According to Polsat News, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministries of Justice and Education, is currently working on new regulations to:
- Restrict teenagers’ access to harmful content
- Legally define patostreaming as a specific phenomenon
The NASK study also shows that many students cannot even recognize that the content they consume is harmful or qualifies as patostreaming.
Conclusion
Patostreaming is not just an online trend—it is a growing social issue that threatens young people’s mental health, values, and future prospects. Addressing this problem requires:
- Parental involvement and communication
- Educational programs in schools
- Public awareness campaigns
- Stricter platform regulations on harmful content
With peer pressure, financial incentives, and algorithm-driven content fueling its spread, patostreaming is not going away anytime soon. However, open discussions and informed action can help mitigate its impact before it becomes an even more deeply rooted social crisis.
