YouTube to age-restrict violent gaming videos under new policy
Kenyan gaming creators, many of whom post unedited gameplay, reviews, and live streams, will now need to make creative adjustments to remain compliant.
YouTube has announced sweeping new rules that will see a broader range of gaming videos restricted to mature audiences, a move already sending ripples through the global creator community, including Kenya’s fast-growing gaming scene.
Starting November 17, 2025, the platform will automatically age-restrict video game content that depicts realistic or graphic violence, particularly scenes involving human-like characters or imagery resembling real-world brutality.
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The company says the policy aims to strike a balance between creative expression and user safety, as more minors consume gaming content online.
According to YouTube’s updated content guidelines, footage featuring intense violence such as torture, mass attacks, or excessive blood and gore will no longer be accessible to users under 18, even if the content originates from a video game.
The update applies globally, including in Kenya and across Africa, where gaming content is becoming an increasingly lucrative segment of digital entertainment.
Kenyan gaming creators, many of whom post unedited gameplay, reviews, and live streams, will now need to make creative adjustments to remain compliant.
However, YouTube clarified that not all violent games will be affected. The restrictions will target content where graphic scenes are central or appear “overly realistic.”
Titles such as Call of Duty, Resident Evil, The Last of Us, and GTA V are among those expected to be most impacted.
“YouTube isn’t banning game footage,” the company said in a policy note, “but rather setting clearer limits for content that blurs the line between fiction and real-world violence.”
The move comes amid growing scrutiny from regulators and parent groups concerned about minors’ easy access to violent media online.
Creators will still be able to appeal or self-rate their content before publishing. Videos that tone down gory sequences, blur blood, or avoid zooming in on violent scenes may remain unrestricted.
From mid-November, some gaming clips and live streams may prompt age verification, particularly when accessed via mobile devices.
Users under 18 or those without a verified account will not be able to view restricted content.
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