YouTube Cracks Down On "Suggestive" Videos

WASHINGTON (AFP) - YouTube announced on Tuesday that it was cracking down on "sexually suggestive" videos in a bid to clean up the popular video-sharing website.

In a blog posting, YouTube, which already bans pornography, said it would be enforcing a "stricter standard for mature content" and "tightening the standard for what is considered 'sexually suggestive.'"

"Videos with sexually suggestive (but not prohibited) content will be age-restricted, which means they'll be available only to viewers who are 18 or older," the Google-owned website said.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[harriettubman]

Something usually starts out good but the freaks in society must turn it into something negative. I've seen my share of nastisness on Youtube and have told my kids to stay off of it.

Some free speecher will come along and says he wants to be able to use nothing but profanity in his posts and to see X-rated or R-rated videos on Youtube. It never ends. Buy a magazine.

[crayola 08]

nobody buys magazine's anymore. that's what the interwebs is for :P

[grailknight]

Is the photo of Ann Coulter?

[politisophical]

i dont mind that they are taking the sexualy suggestive video off because theres is always tube8... but the fact that they want to crack down on profanity is kinda sad.. youtube is a source of Raw Free speech and profanity is a powerful tool to express your opinion on topics..

[NightAdder]

Youtube's lost is another site's gain. Everybody knew that once Youtube got corporatized, it would lose it's wild and crazy edge. I bet the puritians can't wait for Disney to takeover YT some day.

[crayola 08]

oh well, there's always Xtube :)

[fussygorilla]

So why is hurrpost printing this stupid photo?

[dantynan]

YouTube's guidelines would be maddening if they weren't so friggin' comical.

to comply with YouTube's age-restricted standards you'd pretty much have to be dressed as a nun sitting in an uncomfortable chair with your legs crossed while thinking pure thoughts.

I poke some fun at them on my Culture Crash blog ("Todays Internet is brought to you by porn").

http://blogs.computerworld.com/youtube_porn

cheers,

dt

[nukemind]

So long as the violent stuff is left intact we're good! Come on give me a break, what is it with going after sexual stuff and leaving out violence, which does far more harm to kids? This is another classic case of the difference between the US and Europe where violence is frowned upon while they tolerate the sexual stuff. And I'm frankly really tired of these (and I'm channeling a Simpsons episode here) "won't someone think of the children" policies. When I was a kid my Mom worked AND watched me like a hawk. She managed to censor most sexual and violent stuff she didn't want me to see. My sister also has a job and supervises her two kids effectively by giving them constructive alternatives to becoming mindless zombies. I have no problem with a sign-in that only allows those over 18, but really the solution remains good parenting. I'm always wary of terms like 'suggestive' as what does that constitute and who gets to decide? Softcore scenes in movies, do they count? Too much tongue action from a clip, does that count? How about a frank discussion about sexual matters. Stupid pointless policy. Thanks again "free market" for bowing to special interests.

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

And how are they going to know who is 18 on the other end of the computer screen? Simply because they say so? That's.....um.... stupid.

How about just not allowing this kind of stuff to be posted to UTube. Keep it on the pron sites for those who are actually LOOKING for porn.

[fluentinsilence]

Goodbye tight-bodied sexually confused teens.

[LiberalBuzz]

Almost all those videos are come on's to go to porn sites.

[rob2007]

Does this mean I'll have to get out of my pajamas and leave my parent's basement?

[JimboSlice]

No need for youtube, just go to youporn for the real thing.

[whit4brains]

Is it going to be one of those things were you have to click on "yes" that you are over 18? Cause I'm sure that will keep out the youngsters...NOT!

[BeyondEvolution]

You do need to register though. Not that it helps the cause, but youtube will benefit from its registration count.

[OutsiderSA]

They could also put in "Are you a Christian?" filter, trouble is that will make hits soo much lower :)

[thefooligan5]

i always wondered why youtube allowed these videos.
I always try to imagine myself as a parent in this type of situation and I don't want my children having such simple (or even accidental) access to this type of sexual degredation. I know these woman are choosing to make these videos but it is societal pressure as a whole which pushes these woman into thinking they are nothing without their sexually gratifying bodies. I don't want my kids growing up with that in their minds.

[JimboSlice]

How about instead of putting your kid unattended in front of a computer you either sit there and supervise him, or you have a constructive conversation with him instead, or how about you give him a bat and a ball and tell him to be a kid.

[timmcveighjr]

RIGHT ON, my friend!
i know it must be difficult to be a parent, but what's better/worse - having your kid at home cruising the net, or out at the rec center, growing up in the real world?

damn, i wish i was in this situation coming of age........