YouTube Bans Dangerous Prank Videos Following 'Bird Box Challenge'
SAN BRUNO (CBS SF / AP) — San Bruno-based video giant YouTube is trying to prevent otherwise bright people from doing dangerous things.
The video-sharing network owned by Google is cracking down on harmful or dangerous pranks.
Updated policies no longer allow challenges that present "an apparent risk of death" and ban content featuring children "participating in dangerous challenges that pose an imminent risk of injury or bodily harm."
YouTube also says it is drawing the line on content that "intends to incite violence or encourage dangerous or illegal activities" that have a risk of serious harm or death. They include bomb making or pranks that put people in physical danger.
A recent "Bird Box challenge" stemming from the hit movie distributed by Los Gatos-based Netflix featured videos of people engaging in activities while blindfolded.
People also were sickened in a challenge that involved eating Tide detergent pods.
© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
