While I do think Twitch could totally go into making loads off of a more adult-orientated sub-site, I think there are a few things they could more reasonably do to protect their current users.

First, I would limit what categories can freely appear as suggestions without the user opting into it.

Second, I would add a content warning under certain categories. This can apply to both IRL (like hot tub) and certain games. Essentially a disclaimer that "Streams under XYZ category may contain: A, B, C, D."

Third, an opt-in thumbnail blur. Much like Reddit, there should be an option to blur streams marked for mature content when browsing. It could be a "click to show" or even just a "hover to show" option that will reveal the thumbnail/preview, but otherwise, have it blurred.

Just some ideas that could be beneficial!

I don't know about you guys but I feel like this last year twitch has taken a turn for the worse, at least when it comes to content moderation.

I personally used to use twitch quite a bit, it was a lot of fun to try finding new streamers and of course, you know, watching them play games or draw. But I now can no longer browse the art section without immediately regretting it plus not finding an actual stream to watch, along with a few other categories in twitch. Look I know there's been an increase in demand for allowing adult content on twitch, but it's gotten to the point where it's been bleeding into the clean/family-friendly side of twitch as well, which is quite concerning and frankly, unacceptable for those of us still using this platform and disinterested in this type of content.

I personally no longer feel safe using this platform to look for new content, as even though I don't have to click on explicit streams, it still shows the thumbnail of what's being streamed, which really sucks. And I'm not willing to be scarred by something I didn't want to see just on the off chance I might find a new streamer I like. Not to mention the fact that twitch is showing me this is a yikes in the first place.

Maybe I've just gotten unlucky with the recommendations twitch has given me/when browsing, but even so, this still shouldn't be happening to anyone on ANY platform when that platform is not meant to show that kind of thing, it's just, and I don't know how to express this enough, but completely and utterly unacceptable

Again, I know there are those who would like this kind of content to be part of twitch, but at least, please please separate it from the safe side of twitch, maybe even on a completely different twitch website/app, and this includes not just the explicit content but suggestive content too, as that is also something I'm personally uncomfortable with, as I'm sure many others are as well.

And it doesn't have to be a completely different twitch, but at least could you make sure the explicit/suggestive content only appears when a user is actively looking for it? I really would like to feel safe using and browsing twitch again, it's such a unique platform and I've met so many amazing people through it, I hope others will have the same opportunities, but not everyone will have that if twitch's reputation of being a platform for adult content continues gaining traction.