YouTube is stepping up its efforts to protect younger audiences, announcing stricter age restrictions for certain video content. The updated policies, which take effect on November 17th, target graphic violence in video games and content related to online gambling, even if no real money is involved.
New Rules for Graphic Gaming
The most notable change for gamers involves the treatment of graphic violence. Accounts under 18 and signed-out users will be blocked from viewing game clips that focus on “realistic human characters” involved in “mass violence against non-combatants” or torture.
While existing policy generally permits dramatised violence if the content is clearly fictional, the new restrictions will be triggered if violent scenes are:
- Prolonged
- Zoomed in
- Central to the video
This suggests the context and presentation of the violence will now be crucial in YouTube’s review process. However, specific examples are currently unclear, leaving creators uncertain whether titles like Mortal Kombat or Call of Duty will be targeted.
The current policy reads, “Generally, we do not remove dramatized violence when the content or metadata lets us know that the content is fictional, or when it’s apparent from the content itself, such as with animated content or video games.”
Gambling Content Under the Spotlight
Online gambling content is also facing considerable restrictions. YouTube is expanding its enforcement to include digital goods with monetary value, such as in-game skins, cosmetics, and NFTs, if they are linked to gambling sites or apps that are not Google-certified.
Furthermore, any content promoting or depicting social casino games where no real money is exchanged will now also be age-restricted to protect younger viewers.
Key Changes Summarised:
- Online Gambling: Enforcement includes digital goods (skins, NFTs, etc.) if linked to non-certified gambling sites.
- Social Casino Games: Content promoting these will now be age-restricted, even without real money.
- Graphic Gaming: Videos with prolonged, zoomed-in, or central scenes of mass violence or torture against non-combatants with “realistic human characters” will be age-restricted.
YouTube states that its policies “are designed to evolve alongside the digital world” to “keep pace with new trends” and “more closely align our guidelines for mature content with industry standards.”
YouTube anticipates minimal disruption for creators but encourages proactive compliance. It will be interesting to see how that turns out. Importantly, existing videos violating the new rules may be removed or age-restricted without a strike, allowing creators to use YouTube’s editing tools to fix their content. They will be notified via email and retain the right to appeal any decisions.
