YouTube has announced that it will enforce stricter age restrictions on gaming videos featuring graphic violence, effective November 17. This new policy will prevent users under 18, as well as those who are not signed in, from viewing videos that depict realistic human characters engaged in mass violence against non-combatants or torture. As per YouTube, this update will affect a “small subset” of violent gaming content. The platform will assess various factors, including the length of violent scenes, the focus of the camera, and whether the violence is directed at characters that resemble real humans.
Although YouTube has not detailed which games will be impacted, titles known for realistic violence, such as Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, are likely to be included. YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle informed The Verge that certain content may face age restrictions if it is persistent or closely focused, noting that creators might adjust gameplay to avoid such restrictions. Additionally, creators will have the ability to blur or obscure violent content to avoid age-gating. This update builds on existing policies that limit “dramatized violence”—including torture, severe injuries, or bloody deaths—unless it is clearly fictional, as seen in animated or gaming contexts. YouTube emphasized that its policies are evolving with digital media trends.
Bullwinkle stated, “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.” Besides violent gaming content, the new policy also addresses videos promoting online gambling with digital items like in-game skins, cosmetics, or NFTs. Earlier this year, the company banned unapproved gambling service promotions, and this change will further extend age restrictions to include social casino content. With these updates, YouTube seeks to balance creative freedom with user safety, ensuring younger audiences are protected from graphic and potentially harmful material while maintaining a safe and responsible platform.