In an effort to discourage people from creating and spreading videos and further information about the Momo Challenge, YouTube is now blocking all advertisements on videos featuring the viral internet hoax.
In an interview with The Verge, YouTube says that such videos are actually a violation of the streaming site’s policies and regulations for monetized videos, as they go against advertiser guidelines.
Some examples of the videos that have been demonetized are those that talk about the Momo Challenge, be it a discussion or a reaction to news reports. Even the videos with warnings saying that the content may be offensive or harmful have been demonetized.
The main problem with these types of clickbait content, although they may be relevant to current issues, is that they can spread unnecessary harm and misinformation. In fact, organizations and departments alike have been warning parents to protect their children against these content. However, creators still continue creating them since they tend to get the most views, and therefore, the most revenue. YouTube hopes that by removing the incentive, which in this case is the potential revenue, creators will be demotivated to create and upload videos regarding the topic.
