<style></style>

1 of 4

6. Reporting Content - Flagging

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson objective - Understand the flagging process, when to flag and how YouTube enforces policy.

Everyday, users report potential Community Guidelines violations to YouTube by selecting the 'Flag' button underneath the video. The flagging categories relate directly to our Community Guidelines.

The YouTube team reviews flagged videos 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What does the flagging interface look like on YouTube?

Activity - Using a YouTube account, and with your teacher, look at 3 videos across different categories and explore the flagging tool. Get a class volunteer to flag this video. It's easy!

1.

2.

2 of 4

6. Reporting Content - Flagging

 

 

 

 

 

If you're confused about what the categories might mean, we have some definitions on hand to help guide you;

  • Graphic sexual activity

"Graphic sexual activity" describes content which contains actual visible or implied sex acts.

  • Nudity

"Nudity" refers to exposed or see-through coverage of areas typically covered by a bathing suit or underwear. Sometimes nudity is allowed on YouTube, depending on the context.

  • Suggestive, but without nudity

"Suggestive" content refers to materials with sexual themes that do not necessarily depict sexual activity or nudity. Sexually suggestive content may not be suitable for all audiences.

  • Shocking or disgusting content

"Shocking or disgusting content" refers to disturbing imagery, such as graphic depictions of violence, accidents or gore, which lack an appropriate context.

  • Promotes hatred or violence against a protected group

Hate speech is content that promotes or encourages hatred or violence towards a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status and sexual orientation/gender identity.

  • Harmful dangerous acts

"Harmful dangerous acts" may include content which depicts behaviour likely to cause serious injury or death to a third party.

Activity -

1. What do you think the term 'context' means in no. 2 and no. 4?

2. Can you think of an example where something very shocking, might be deemed appropriate for YouTube?

3. How is hate speech different to other types of harassment?

4. What do you think 'graphic' means?

3 of 4

6. Reporting Content - Flagging

 

 

 

 

 

Age-Restricted Content

Have you ever seen the following image?

Sometimes videos which are flagged by the Community, but which don't violate our Community Guidelines, can be age-restricted. This means that the content may be unsuitable for younger users and so cannot be viewed by users under the age of 18.

4 of 4

6. Reporting - Flagging

Age-Restricted Content

Frequently, one of the main reasons YouTube age-restricts content rather than removing it from the site is because even though there is mature content, it is of educational, documentary, scientific or artistic value.