YouTube are introducing tighter age restrictions on video game content but what does this mean for viewers and creators?

Access to video game content on YouTube is set to become more restricted on November 17th. An update to their policy brings in a tighter restriction on “graphic violence” depicted in video games.

YouTube state they will age-restrict “an additional small subset of video game content featuring realistic human characters that focus on scenes of torture or scenes of mass violence against non-combatants”.

The restriction comes in addition to YouTube’s existing policy around graphic gaming content. It’s not clear quite how restrictive the policy will be or therefore to what extent creators will have their content restricted from wider viewing.

YouTube clarify that factors they will consider include:

  • Duration – If the graphic scene is sustained (rather than fleeting). For compilation videos, we’ll now consider the cumulative duration of all of the graphic clips combined. 
  • Prominence – If the violent imagery is zoomed-in or the main focus of the scene 
  • Realistic human characters – If the violence is happening to a character that looks like a real human

Any content uploaded before the policy change takes place may be subject to the new restrictions retroactively. Content will still be available, but only for age-verified users above the age of 18.

YouTube rolls out AI age verification

Any affected creators will receive a notification that their content has been restricted or removed. Creators will be able to dispute the decision.

YouTube spokesperson, Boot Bullwinkle, told The Verge that the presentation of the content would be taken into consideration, saying that “certain content may be age-restricted if it’s non-fleeting or zoomed in”.

Whereas the current policy allows for “dramatized violence” in which it is clear that the content is fictional, the new policy will tighten access to depictions of violence on YouTube. Bullwinkle reassures creators looking to work around the ban that they can blur or obscure the violence.

The policy updates also bring much tighter restrictions on gambling content. YouTube will expand a policy that prohibits content directing viewers to gambling platforms to include less obvious gambling platforms, such as video games including loot boxes.

Content depicting social casino content will also now be age-restricted. Users with now-restricted gambling content made before the policy update will also be notified of any restrictions on their videos.

Bullwinkle states: “YouTube’s policies are designed to adapt to the evolving digital world, and these updates reflect our ongoing commitment to protect younger users and foster a responsible platform.”

YouTube are constantly evolving their content policies, having eased rather than tightened restrictions on profanity in videos in August this year.

YouTube users can verify their age to access age-restricted content using their device’s camera and YouTube’s age estimation system. Users can alternatively upload government ID or credit card details to confirm their age.