Paul posted a video of a suicide victim on the platform last month.

Earlier this month, YouTube star Logan Paul was hit with a wave of criticism over his decision to post a video showing a suicide victim in Japan's Aokigahara forest. Posted to his YouTube channel, the video showed him and his friends entering the forest, -- well-known for being a place where many choose to end their lives -- coming across a body and laughing while they made jokes and moved in for closeups. The video was removed, but many have called for YouTube to do more, both with Paul specifically and with how it manages the content that goes up on its site. The company has been fairly quiet since the incident, but today, it has finally released a statement.

On Twitter, YouTube started a thread by saying, "Many of you have been frustrated with our lack of communication recently. You're right to be. You deserve to know what's going on." It goes on to say that those at the company were upset by Paul's video, adding, "Suicide is not a joke, nor should it ever be a driving force for views." While YouTube didn't provide any details, it said that Paul's channel violated its community guidelines when the video was posted and that it was "looking at further consequences."

 Actor Aaron Paul and YouTuber Laci Green were among those that spoke out against Paul and his video as was Anna Akana who tweeted, "You do not walk into a suicide forest with a camera and claim mental health awareness."

YouTube concluded its statement by admitting it had taken a long time to respond to the issue. "We know that the actions of one creator can affect the entire community, so we'll have more to share soon on steps we're taking to ensure a video like this is never circulated again."

If you or a loved one is considering suicide or would like emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free and confidential resource available to you. You can call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or for Spanish speakers at 1-888-628-9454. The deaf and hard of hearing can call 1-800-799-4889.

Source:
courtesy of ENGADGET

by Mallory Locklear

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