Livestreaming as therapy: Information experiences on Reddit’s Public Access Network

Introduction. This paper presents the findings from a project that aims to broaden our understanding of how people experienced social livestreaming videos on Reddit’s Public Access Network as digital informational boundary objects in the context of the global pandemic. Method. A digital ethnography research approach was used consisting of 1) collecting data and fieldnotes from chatroom interviews and observations of interactions between livestreamers and their audiences; 2) content analysis; and 3) reflexivity. Analysis. The data were coded and themed focusing on description, analysis and interpretation of each individual data set. This was followed by constructing a bricolage of the various coded data sets to generate a collective narrative. Results. Six forms of livestreaming therapeutic information experiences were identified: exploring self-identity; self-improvement; positive vibing; vicarious wanderlust; mental health connections; and inclusive distant socialising. Conclusion. The combination of streamer–audience information experiences, active livestreams, and digital social livestreaming platforms can function as an informational boundary object that facilitates witnessed authenticity through genuine connection, self-disclosure and self-acceptance. Witnessed authenticity provides a framework for designing supportive digital environments that can promote individual and collective resilience, particularly in times of crisis and uncertainty. Recognising this can open new opportunities for regeneration from stronger impact grounded in real-time co-presence.