YouTube updates guidelines to stop the spread of dangerous viral videos

YouTube is taking a strong stance on that dicey sort of viral video that seems to enchant the world every so often, changing its guidelines to reduce the number of videos displaying “dangerous stunts and emotionally distressing pranks.”

The most recent challenge of this kind to surface is named after the Netflix original movie Bird Box, which takes place in a world where people must keep their eyes closed at all times lest they see a mysterious something that’s driving people mad. In real life, people are wearing blindfolds and trying different activities, including driving, which ended how you’d think it would.

And that’s just one of the many challenges to have harmed people over the years. Let’s not forget the “Tide Pod challenge” where people actually started biting into Tide Pods and inadvertently consuming the detergent inside. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s happening, and YouTube has had enough.

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Here’s the pertinent text from YouTube’s updated guidelines:

"We don’t allow pranks that make victims believe they’re in serious physical danger – for example, a home invasion prank or a drive-by shooting prank. We also don’t allow pranks that cause children to experience severe emotional distress, meaning something so bad that it could leave the child traumatized for life."

And if you thought the Bird Box challenge was a bit much, let us remind you of the fire challenge, which involves pouring flammable liquid over one’s body and then lighting yourself on fire. Mind you, this is all happening while someone is standing back and recording.

These challenges can catch on very quickly and have devastating consequences resulting in severe injury and even death. While many may enjoy the hilarity of these videos, they can do a lot of harm. Kudos to YouTube for trying to remedy the situation!

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h/t The A.V. Club