Logan Paul has hit headlines this week for all the wrong reasons. The successful YouTube star is usually in headlines for his subscriber count or funny videos but this week has seen the public calling for his channel to be deleted. Throughout this post I'll talk about Paul and his response to his actions but also I will have a discussion upon where this leaves the platform of YouTube.
If you are not aware of what Paul has done I will give you a brief explanation. A few days ago Paul, who has over 15 million subscribers, uploaded a video which featured a dead body. The YouTube star saw an opportunity to gain views and publicity by visiting an infamous forest known for suicide whilst in Japan. Aokigahara was featured, Paul went as far as to film a recently deceased body. He has since apologised in a video and tweet but many do not think this is enough. Many are petitioning for his channel to be deleted and famous YouTubers have not shied away from the issue. Casey Neistat has sent an open letter to Paul over Twitter saying that the YouTuber himself should have done more after he said the reason for the video was to raise awareness for suicide. Neistat has said 'you could make a donation to the National Suicide Lifeline or give air time on your YouTube channel to experts in the field to share information' he also said Logan Paul should 'use this shitty situation you've put yourself in to follow through' on the promises from his apology. I completely agree with Neistat, what Paul uploaded was disgusting and no matter what he says about trying to raise awareness it is clear that the reason he did this was purely selfish. He should use this appalling situation to actually help the people he has hurt. Many of his subscribers are young people, them watching this disturbing footage may have been scarring or even triggering for them. I personally will never be watching his videos again and I expect millions more will be doing the same. With all the attention being focused upon Paul, and rightly so, people seem to be overlooking the actions, or lack of, of YouTube themselves.
It is only recently that I've had my eyes opened to how much influence the company of YouTube has upon creators content. With the likes of Jaackmaate talking about how his own videos get demonetised just for including swear words. So my question to YouTube is how is Logan Paul's video allowed to be trending worldwide on the homepage of the site if they have such strict rules over menial things as swearing? Why were they endorsing such a grotesque and disturbing subject? Of course this answer is money. No matter how many excuses the company give or how many apologies they make nothing can take away from the fact that they endorsed this disgusting video. To me, this is a signal for the end of YouTube. When I first stumbled on the site in terms of individuals making videos, around 8 years ago, the videos were just childish and comic sketches. They were mainly gaming videos, makeup and beauty and challenges they did with friends. It was a platform where creators could be free to express themselves completely. A platform where you didn't have to get a deal with a broadcaster or TV channel. However, this once positive aspect of YouTube has turned into a gateway where videos like Paul's are accessible by children. When something is produced through a station like the BBC it is monitored over it's subject matter and what time it is aired due to the sensitivity of the show. This video has no crossed a line and I think there should be more restrictions put in place on the site so this is not allowed to happen again.
There is no future for YouTube if it continues in this manner. It needs to change or it will disappear.
If you are not aware of what Paul has done I will give you a brief explanation. A few days ago Paul, who has over 15 million subscribers, uploaded a video which featured a dead body. The YouTube star saw an opportunity to gain views and publicity by visiting an infamous forest known for suicide whilst in Japan. Aokigahara was featured, Paul went as far as to film a recently deceased body. He has since apologised in a video and tweet but many do not think this is enough. Many are petitioning for his channel to be deleted and famous YouTubers have not shied away from the issue. Casey Neistat has sent an open letter to Paul over Twitter saying that the YouTuber himself should have done more after he said the reason for the video was to raise awareness for suicide. Neistat has said 'you could make a donation to the National Suicide Lifeline or give air time on your YouTube channel to experts in the field to share information' he also said Logan Paul should 'use this shitty situation you've put yourself in to follow through' on the promises from his apology. I completely agree with Neistat, what Paul uploaded was disgusting and no matter what he says about trying to raise awareness it is clear that the reason he did this was purely selfish. He should use this appalling situation to actually help the people he has hurt. Many of his subscribers are young people, them watching this disturbing footage may have been scarring or even triggering for them. I personally will never be watching his videos again and I expect millions more will be doing the same. With all the attention being focused upon Paul, and rightly so, people seem to be overlooking the actions, or lack of, of YouTube themselves.
It is only recently that I've had my eyes opened to how much influence the company of YouTube has upon creators content. With the likes of Jaackmaate talking about how his own videos get demonetised just for including swear words. So my question to YouTube is how is Logan Paul's video allowed to be trending worldwide on the homepage of the site if they have such strict rules over menial things as swearing? Why were they endorsing such a grotesque and disturbing subject? Of course this answer is money. No matter how many excuses the company give or how many apologies they make nothing can take away from the fact that they endorsed this disgusting video. To me, this is a signal for the end of YouTube. When I first stumbled on the site in terms of individuals making videos, around 8 years ago, the videos were just childish and comic sketches. They were mainly gaming videos, makeup and beauty and challenges they did with friends. It was a platform where creators could be free to express themselves completely. A platform where you didn't have to get a deal with a broadcaster or TV channel. However, this once positive aspect of YouTube has turned into a gateway where videos like Paul's are accessible by children. When something is produced through a station like the BBC it is monitored over it's subject matter and what time it is aired due to the sensitivity of the show. This video has no crossed a line and I think there should be more restrictions put in place on the site so this is not allowed to happen again.
There is no future for YouTube if it continues in this manner. It needs to change or it will disappear.
Comments
Post a Comment