YouTube turned us off
For all of its faults, social media has democratized perspective, granting marginalized voices the same platform as the status quo and allowing for experiences to be shared across cultural divides. Take YouTube: the site has evolved from cat videos to an outlet for a younger generation – ranging in colour, size and sexuality – to express themselves. In the process, YouTube has become defined by its “creators,” the videographers with hundreds to millions of viewers. This has proven especially beneficial in the LGBTQ+ community, where proudly out vloggers have created communities for younger viewers to find support.
However, YouTube was called into question this past weekend when one of its most popular creators, Tyler Oakley, noticed the website had begun to filter videos produced by gay users or directly referencing same- sex relationships under Restricted Mode – which allows parents, schools and libraries to filter out content that might be inappropriate for viewers under 18. In response, #YouTubeIsOverParty began trending on Twitter. Countless users, including Neon Fiona, Melanie Murphy and SeaineLove, said videos in which they referenced their coming out experiences had all been hidden.
Oakley tweeted that his video, “8 Black LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Who Inspire Me,” had also been blocked. Even Canadian band Tegan and Sara, both of whom are gay, found several of their music videos blocked. YouTube responded that restrictions help “to filter out mature content for the tiny subset of users who want a more limited experience.”
According to YouTube’s policies, restricted content typically includes sexually explicit language, excessive profanity or violence. By labeling LGBTQ+ vlogs in a manner synonymous with “mature” and “sensitive” videos, YouTube is making the decision to censor content it had previously built its brand upon.
While promoting t he diversity of its users as reasons to use YouTube, the site is now working to limit the accessibility of their voices.
YouTube in particular had provided an intimate outlet for many Millennials questioning their identity. And so to now selectively turn their back when “other” identities are shared in all their glory feels a little more like exploitation than representation – suggesting difference is not only unacceptable but something that must be protected against.