Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube need to kill live streaming; it invites bad behavior on many levels.

The idea of taping illegal behavior is baffling because it seems to serve only as evidence of a crime. In years past, there was the possibility that the creeps would get a clue and erase incriminating footage. This is not the case with the latest “look at me” live-streaming video to social networks. Anyone with sense can see where this is headed and it is not good.

The first product to popularize the idea of streaming with the mobile phone was the now-defunct Meerkat which allowed for real-time live streams on Twitter. It was followed quickly by Twitter’s own Periscope, YouTube Live Streaming, and Facebook Live.

Early examples of live streams, like those during Occupy Wall Street(Opens in a new window), showed potential, providing the general public with easily accessible video footage of what was going on. Now it appears that Facebook’s live video option has risen above the others. But the live-streamed beating of a poor mentally challenged kid in Chicago(Opens in a new window) shows it’s time to look at this differently. Would this have occurred if live video streaming did not exist? Perhaps. The perpetrators could have made a video, but would it have been as exciting if it wasn’t live?

Then there is live streaming suicides. A 12-year-old Georgia girl last month streamed her suicide(Opens in a new window) on a live-streaming app, footage of which was later posted to Facebook. With suicide the leading cause of death in the US for those between 15-24(Opens in a new window), this could get out of control real fast, especially among social media-obsessed teens. Sadly, I can see this catching on. There would be no misinterpretation of the person’s intent or complaints. It cannot be repressed. And it would draw a crowd.

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For this reason, live streaming needs to end now.