YouTube has updated its community guidelines to prohibit with immediate effect videos that depict ‘dangerous challenges and pranks’. The company says it will now take down content that encourages violence or dangerous activities that present a risk of serious injury or death or cause children to experience severe emotional distress.
The updated guidelines come in the wake of a series of videos where people were seen walking around in traffic blindfolded as part of the so-called ‘Bird Box’ challenge that replicates scenes from Netflix’s critically-acclaimed movie starring Sandra Bullock.
There were also reports earlier in the year about teens and young adults falling sick after ingesting Tide Pods as part of the notorious Tide Pods challenge.