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Another One Bites The Dust: Films aren't real life

 Firstly, my apologies for the title of this blog post...

Although it may actually be relevant to the topic in hand, it was mainly inspired by my going to watch Bohemian Rhapsody on the weekend*...

But anyhow...

"Another one bites the dust" is also a phrase we can use to describe YouTube's latest video ban. Amongst all the Brexit talk, the BBC reported this morning that YouTube are banning films which depict dangerous or emotionally distressing “pranks”.

 In the article, reporter Dave Lee explains how in a growing popularity in young people pulling dangerous or distressing pranks and posting them online is resulting in some viewers of the site to be inclined to replicate them: for instance, the most recent challenge inspired by the Netflix show Birdbox, which sees participants attempting to carry out tasks - such as driving - blindfolded.

Bird Box Trailer
The Netflix show Bird Box where everyone is blindfolded (Source: Netflix)

 In my blog post from earlier this month, I discussed the dangers of filming in the modern age, with reference to the phenomenon described as "GoPro courage". Many of these pranks and challenges YouTube speaks of are filmed using wearable cameras such as GoPros to give the audience a first person view of the stunt being performed - giving a more immersive experience. 

 However, regardless of how "exciting" these stunts may be to watch, they are putting many lives at risk. Therefore I was very pleased to hear this new Brexit-free, YouTube-banning headline read out on BBC Breakfast News this morning. Not only is it helping reduce the number of risky challenges attempted and exposed to others via the world's biggest video streaming service, but it also in turn tackles the problem I highlighted in "Everyone's A Cameraman": The less ability for these videos to be published and viewed, the less inclined people are going to be to use the cameras to film them with. And the less people use the cameras to film it, to less risk of potential injuries or fatalities to be caused by them!

* Wow - that film made me remember why I'm studying Film & TV as a degree. 

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