In some cases, instead of removing violent or graphic content from Lounges, we may apply an age restriction if the content provides sufficient context for understanding.
For instance, while content displaying victims' injuries in a road accident may be removed, we may age-restrict the same content if presented with news coverage that explains the situation and context. For educational purposes involving violent or graphic content, the necessary context must be evident within the video's visuals or audio.
Additionally, we take public interest into account when deciding whether to remove or age-restrict content. For example, we may age-restrict graphic or violent content documenting warzones.
We may also apply an age restriction to fictional violence, particularly when it contains graphic scenes, such as dismemberment or decapitation, or depicts human corpses with severe injuries. Generally, we permit dramatised violence when the content or metadata clearly indicates that it is fictional, or when the fictional nature is apparent from the content itself, such as animated content or video games.
The following factors are considered when deciding whether to age-restrict or remove content, although this is not an exhaustive list:
- Whether violent or gory imagery is the central focus of the video, such as solely highlighting the most graphically violent part of a film or video game.
- Whether the title, description, tags, or other data suggest an intention to shock or disgust viewers.
- Whether violent imagery or audio is blurred, masked, or obscured in any way.
- The duration of time that violent images or audio are present in the content.
- The presence of context that clearly indicates that the imagery is fictional or dramatised, such as through information within the video, title, or description.
- Whether the violence is part of a religious or cultural practice, and the uploader provides viewers with that context.
- Whether the content depicts the killing of an animal within the context of traditional or standard practices for hunting, religious rituals, or food preparation.
It's important to note that this policy applies to videos, video descriptions, comments, live streams, and all other Lounges features.
Examples of content that is not allowed on Lounges include:
- Encouraging others to commit violence at specific locations or times or targeting individuals or groups with violence.
- Actual schoolyard fights between minors, though content may be allowed if it is evident that minors are only engaging in play-fighting.
- Beatings or brawls outside the context of professional or professionally supervised sporting events.