YouTube Implements Age Restrictions For Content Featuring Firearms

JAKARTA - YouTube has quietly implemented a policy change that provides age restrictions on several firearms-related videos, or even banned videos with other content altogether.

Content featuring homemade and automated firearms will be prohibited for viewers under the age of 18, while tutorials for removing safety devices will be banned regardless of age

"Starting June 18, 2024, certain content showing how to remove safety devices will be prohibited. Content displaying the use of homemade firearms, automatic firearms, and certain firearms accessories will be subject to age restrictions," the update reads on its official website found by Engadget.

The firearms content that is subject to age restrictions includes content that shows the use of homemade firearms (for example 3D printed weapons), automatic firearms, or other accessories.

However, these guidelines may not be applied to certain artistic content such as movies, or public interest content such as military or police recordings, news recordings, or recordings from war zones.

While the prohibited content is embedding links in your title or video description to sites where firearms or accessories are selling, showing off firearms to sell them, showing step by step the use of firearms, and more.

If your content violates this policy, YouTube will delete the content and send you an email to let you know.

If you violate one time, you will most likely receive a penaltyless warning on your channel. You will have the opportunity to take part in policy training so that the warning ends after 90 days.

If you violate another policy after completing training, you will get another warning. If you get 3 reprimands within 90 days, your channel will be terminated automatically.

We can stop your channel or account due to repeated violations of Community Guidelines or Service Requirements. We can also stop your channel or account after a case of severe abuse occurs, or if the channel is intended for policy violations," wrote YouTube.