YouTube has yet again hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, with growing anger over the posting of videos of epileptic seizures.
The National Society for Epilepsy has reacted to news of videos featuring fits by labelling many of the clips as exploitation and abuse.
Dr Sallie Baxendale, consultant neuropsychologist with the NSE, told PA: "In the original freak shows you couldn't have epilepsy because you couldn't have it on cue but on a video you can watch it whenever you want. They have got very graphic titles like 'never ending seizure'. Those are the one that have got the most hits."
Eploitation and abuse
"I did find a few where quite clearly it was someone filming on a street on their mobile phone and there was one in a classroom as well.
"Those ones are clearly exploitation and abuse - and bullying if it comes from a classroom. That child has not given consent. With anything like that, it would be good if they (YouTube) could remove it."
YouTube’s response is the site has clear policies prohibiting inappropriate content – pointing out users can flag up clips they feel should be reviewed and removed.
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Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
blueg
May 23rd
3. To say the website is at fault is unfair...if we police everything that goes up prior to uploading then the whole concept, which is a good indication of how the internet can be used in a new way, goes out the window.
How about people think about stopping the problem at the source in these instances? It might not be easy, but it's more constructive than getting on your soap box and essentially shooting a messenger.
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blueskythinker
May 19th
2. Hmm. Happy slapping and now this. whats next I wonder?
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calcio
May 19th
1. Traditional YouTube outrage story - it's a bit sick, but so is society. Can't really blame YouTube which is a submission site...
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