YouTuber Logan Paul has apologized twice for posting a video of a dead body while filming in an area of Japan known as the “suicide forest.” Now people are calling for him to be banned from YouTube.
The video, which reportedly racked up more than 6 million views and was on YouTube’s trending page before being removed, has been roundly criticized by fans, non-fans, and fellow YouTubers. Even more troubling, many of Paul’s fans are teens (and younger) who could potentially be struggling with their own suicidal thoughts or mental health issues.
https://twitter.com/epDannyEdge/status/948043689577807872
Paul apologized again on Tuesday morning via his social media. He apologized to the victim’s family, asked his fans to stop defending his actions, and said that the goal of his work is to provide inclusive entertainment.
“It was obviously unplanned and the reactions you saw on tape were raw,” Paul said. “I should have never posted the video… The intent is never to be heartless… I made a huge mistake. I don’t expect to be forgiven.”
According to YouTube’s Community Guidelines, the video potentially violates its policies on “harmful or dangerous content” and “violent or graphic content.” But people are calling on YouTube to go a step further than a potential strike and kick him off YouTube, and a petition is circulating demanding his channel be deleted.
Dear @YouTube,
— Jerome Trammel, M.B.A (@MrJeromeTrammel) January 2, 2018
Logan Paul needs to be banned from #YouTube, his channel should be deleted indefinitely. Uploading a video of someone who committed suicide & filming body for views/likes is just disgusting & low. @LoganPaul #LoganPaul
Sign Petition: https://t.co/vr9PCtKvy1
https://twitter.com/RINSHlBUYA/status/948015813411385344
Here's a secret..when we were filming our Christmas 2016 vid, we witnessed something tragic. We put our camera down, called the cops and did all we could to help. Never EVER did it cross our minds to film the person who died. Logan Paul needs to be banned.
— Chad – Screen Team (@TheScreenTeam) January 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/SamGrittner/status/948048228842434560
We’ve reached out to YouTube for comment.
H/T BuzzFeed
For more information about suicide prevention or to speak with someone confidentially, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) or Samaritans (U.K.).