YouTube cracks down on 'dangerous challenges and pranks'

YouTube
(Image credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

YouTube is cracking down on dangerous pranks and challenges after one seriously misguided meme went viral.

The video streaming website has updated its guidelines to clarify what kinds of challenges and pranks are off-limits on the platform, BBC News reports. YouTube says any challenge that "can cause death and/or have caused death in some instances" is not welcome. Two specific dangerous stunts are mentioned: the Tide Pod challenge, in which participants would chew and spit up Tide Pods, and the Fire challenge, in which participants would briefly set a part of their body on fire.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.