YouTube Bans Dangerous Pranks And Challenges

Mashable reports:

YouTube has toughened its stance on dangerous pranks and challenges. While silly antics are a prevalent part of the video platform’s culture, a spate of troubling incidents from the Bird Box challenge, the fire challenge, and the Tide Pod challenge has spurred YouTube into action.

YouTube has unveiled updated community guidelines for creators, with a new section on dangerous challenges and pranks, clarifying its position on the behaviour: That is, don’t do it.

In a detailed FAQ, the platform said that it is explicitly banning the kinds of pranks that present a risk of serious danger or death. Also banned are pranks which make victims believe they’re in serious danger — i.e. a home invasion prank or a drive-by shooting prank — or ones that cause children to experience emotional distress.

See the full policy here.

Bird Box Challenge while driving…predictable result. This happened on Monday as a result of the driver covering her eyes while driving on Layton Parkway. Luckily no injuries. pic.twitter.com/4DvYzrmDA2

— Layton Police (@laytonpolice) January 11, 2019