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‘Coward’: Melbourne Kick streamer gets smacked after ‘prank’

A Melbourne streamer was slapped in the face after a disturbing “prank” that has sparked furious backlash online.

‘Coward’ Streamer gets smacked after ‘prank’

A wannabe internet star was slapped in the face after taunting a stranger walking through Melbourne’s CBD in a desperate bid for attention.

Izanal, who has under 500 followers on streaming platform Kick and even less on YouTube, films “pranks” while wandering the streets of Melbourne.

The streamer has even gone as far as to evacuate a Hoyts cinema to keep his viewers happy.

Kick is a streaming platform founded in 2022 as a competitor to Twitch, with a focus on looser moderation and higher revenue for streamers.

A Melbourne streamer on the platform Kick has been blurring the lines between public pranks and harassment.
A Melbourne streamer on the platform Kick has been blurring the lines between public pranks and harassment.
The streamer – Izanal – often wanders the streets aimlessly, doing things to get attention from others and filming it.
The streamer – Izanal – often wanders the streets aimlessly, doing things to get attention from others and filming it.

It allows its streamers to make money through donations and interact in real time with the content creator through a chat function.

However, one of his recent streams has sparked debate as to where the boundaries lie for content creators and their interaction with the public.

In the stream, posted and discussed on Reddit, Izanal is seen approaching a couple holding hands in Melbourne’s CBD when he asks the woman: “Are you single by any chance?”

In a recent stream, the streamer approached a man and a woman in Melbourne and began provoking them.
In a recent stream, the streamer approached a man and a woman in Melbourne and began provoking them.
The man slapped the streamer, who then slapped him back.
The man slapped the streamer, who then slapped him back.

“Does she look single?” the man accompanying her says.

Izanal then begins following the pair despite it being made apparent they do not want to deal with him.

“You look like a bit of a cuck – are you?” Izanal asks – triggering the man.

The man then slaps Izanal, who drops his things and slaps him back.

All the while, the woman yells: “Stop!”

The man and woman appear keen to leave the situation, but Izanal continues to provoke the pair.

“Come back here little b***h … get out of here b***h,” he yells, even kicking in the man’s direction.

The act has sparked debate on where the boundaries should lie for content creators and their interaction with the public.
The act has sparked debate on where the boundaries should lie for content creators and their interaction with the public.
On anther occasion, the streamer even evacuated a cinema to keep his viewers happy.
On anther occasion, the streamer even evacuated a cinema to keep his viewers happy.

A Reddit thread discussing the clip slammed the act.

“He’s a coward, little s**t, because he knows the girlfriend will keep the boyfriend away from trouble; that’s why he’s trying to escalate it then,” one said.

“Why is mate acting like he wouldn’t get demolished by the guy three times his height? I guess it would be good for the stream,” said another.

“He’ll run into the wrong person one day,” said another.

On Reddit, one wrote: “Looks like harassment more than anything.”

Plenty agreed with the last point; some added that the nature of streaming platforms was encouraging such “prank” content.

Originally published as ‘Coward’: Melbourne Kick streamer gets smacked after ‘prank’

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/technology/online/coward-melbourne-kick-streamer-gets-smacked-after-prank/news-story/a085d26ad56810c4fdc68aa1bb8d20e4