YouTube bans ‘dangerous’ prank videos after blindfold craze

Youtube has banned videos that show dangerous or emotionally distressing “pranks”.

The Google-owned platform today updated its guidelines, stating that stunts placing people in danger have “no place on YouTube”.

It comes after a rise in distressing “challenges”, some of which have resulted in death or injury.

One inspired by a scene in Netflix show Birdbox — in which users are encouraged to carry out a range of activities, including driving, while blindfolded — has caused particular concern.

On the FAQ section of its website, YouTube said it had long been home to “beloved viral challenges and pranks”, but that videos featuring “pranks with a perceived danger of serious physical injury” would not be allowed.

It added that it had “always had policies to make sure what’s funny doesn’t cross the line into also being harmful or dangerous” and was “today clarifying what this means for dangerous challenges and pranks”.

Pranks that make victims believe they are in serious physical danger, and ones that cause children “emotional distress”, are also banned.