YouTube is cracking down on users that share “dangerous challenges and pranks,” the Google-owned company announced on Tuesday.
The world’s biggest video platform initially that shared it has a long history of supporting inoffensive pranks in a blog post, saying that it has long been a home to classic prank videos from Jimmy Kimmel and other creators. But also said videos that “cross the line into also being harmful or dangerous” will now be banned.
YouTube said that it won’t tolerate videos “that can cause death and/or have caused death in some instances,” and specifically pointed to the “Tide Pod challenge,” where users ate laundry detergent, and the “Fire challenge,” where people poured lighter fluid on their bodies and set themselves on fire, as two explicit examples of content that’ll now be banned. Last January, YouTube removed Tide Pod challenge videos after dozens of people were treated for poisoning.
The policy update comes only weeks after the “Bird Box challenge” — where users, inspired by the new Sandra Bullock film on Netflix, walked around or performed stunts while blindfolded — swept YouTube and other social platforms. While most uploads were harmless, some, like one clip of a man walking a blindfolded toddler into a wall, were jarring.
YouTube added it would remove prank videos that “make victims believe they’re in serious physical danger,” like fake home robberies. The company will also remove uploads that cause kids “severe emotional distress.”
Users who have videos removed in the next two months will not receive a strike on their channel, according to the company’s post. Afterward, new uploads will be penalized by the company.
10 Most Shocking Russian Troll Posts on Facebook and Instagram, From Hillary Clinton to Police Brutality (Photos)
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.
House Intelligence Committee
Many posts pushed the narrative that Hillary Clinton would confiscate guns if she were elected President.
House Intelligence Committee
This graphic meme painted cops as KKK members attacking a young black child.
House Intelligence Committee
Only "sissies" and other undesirables wouldn't support Donald Trump, many of the memes said.
House Intelligence Committee
President Obama was a "pawn" and "traitor" in the hands of "Arabian Sheikhs," said one 2016 ad.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Black Matters US" page touched on hot button issues like police shootings.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Army of Jesus" page shared a bible verse, along with this meme.
House Intelligence Committee
Russian trolls also used Instagram to spread sponsored political memes.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Blacktivist" page routinely shared memes on Colin Kaepernick and other football players kneeling during the national anthem.
House Intelligence Committee
"Heart of Texas" routinely posted on "Killary Rotten Clinton," and threatened to secede from the union if she won the election.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Being Patriotic" page labeled ex-cons as "Obama voters."
House Intelligence Committee
1 of 11
Congress just released 3,500 posts touching on a myriad of topics
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.