YouTube will restrict more content showing ‘graphic violence’ in video games

YouTube is updating its policy to age-restrict more content containing video game scenes featuring “graphic violence,” the company announced Tuesday. The update will take effect on November 17 and will prevent accounts under 18 and logged out users from watching videos with games intended to show “realistic human characters” involved in scenes of “massive violence against non-combatants” or torture.

When choosing whether or not to restrict a video, YouTube says it will take into account the length of the scene graphic, as well as whether it is zoomed in or is the main focus of a scene. It will also assess whether the video shows violence aimed at a character “who looks like a real human”. The YouTube post doesn’t clarify whether this applies to violence seen in games like Grand Theft AutoA Call of Duty sequences like the infamous “No Russia” mission, or other types of realistically rendered scenes.

However, YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle said in a statement to The edge that “some content may be age-restricted if it is not ephemeral or zoomed in,” adding that “the creator may choose to play the mission to avoid content that would result in an age restriction.” Creators can also choose to blur or obscure the violence, according to Bullwinkle.

The update builds on YouTube’s existing policies, which state that the platform can restrict videos featuring “dramatized violence” focused on torture, serious injuries or violent deaths with blood, with the exception of games. The current policy states: “In general, we do not remove dramatized violence when the content or metadata lets us know that the content is fictional, or when it is clear from the content itself, such as in the case of animated content or video games. »

“YouTube’s policies are designed to adapt to the evolving digital world, and these updates reflect our continued commitment to protecting young users and fostering a responsible platform,” Bullwinkle said.

In addition to stricter policies regarding video games, the update will also prevent creators from directing users to online gaming content involving digital goods, like video game skins, cosmetics or NFTs. YouTube stopped allowing creators to mention or verbally display online gambling services not approved by Google in March. The platform began blocking approved online gaming content for users under 18 at that time, and it now plans to age-restrict social casino content as well.

October 28 update: Added clarification from YouTube.