YouTube says it is introducing new restrictions on videos featuring guns after repeated calls by campaigners to limit potentially traumatising material.
From 18 June, the video-sharing platform said it will prohibit any videos demonstrating how to remove firearm safety devices.
YouTube, which is owned by Google, will also restrict videos showing homemade guns and automatic weapons for users under 18.
While campaigners have welcomed the initiative, they said YouTube must show it is taking “real action” to prevent children from being exposed to potentially traumatising content or material which could encourage violence.
Gun-related injuries have been the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the US since 2020, according to a report by the Washington-based National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation.
In 2022, the number of US children dying or being injured by gunfire reached a record high.
Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, questioned why the platform took so long to issue a new policy, and said the group will look to see how effectively YouTube enforces its new rules.
“Firearms are the number one cause of death for children and teens in America,” said Ms Paul, whose group has long sought stronger age controls on online gun videos.
“As always with YouTube, the real proof of change is whether the company enforces the policies it has on the books.
“Until YouTube takes real action to prevent videos about guns and gun violence from reaching minors, its policies remain empty words.”
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