The subreddit “Watch People Die” was banned by Reddit for violating the site’s content policy against glorifying or encouraging violence.
Initially created as a place for users to share videos and images that depicted individuals in their final moments, the subreddit “Watch People Die” gained a controversial reputation. It hosted graphic content that showed real-life deaths, which sparked debates about the ethics and psychological impact of such content on viewers and the respect for those who died.
Over time, the subreddit came under increased scrutiny, particularly in the wake of tragic events when users would share footage related to those incidents. Reddit’s administrators were often criticized for allowing the subreddit to exist, as it seemed to conflict with the platform’s broader community standards.
The turning point came following the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand in March 2019. Videos of the attack were circulated on the internet, and the subreddit became one of the places where the footage was shared. In response to this, and in an effort to eliminate the spread of such content, Reddit decided to ban “Watch People Die” along with other similar subreddits as part of a larger crackdown on communities that shared content inciting or glorifying violence.
The ban was part of Reddit’s attempt to clean up its platform and adhere to its policy changes aimed at reducing the spread of violent content. This move was also influenced by public and advertiser pressure to create a safer online environment. The decision was met with mixed reactions; some users felt it was a necessary step to prevent the glorification of violence, while others believed it was an act of censorship that impinged on free speech.
Since the ban, discussions about the ethics of such content and the responsibilities of social media platforms have continued. Reddit, like other social media companies, has been working to balance the open nature of its platform with the need to protect its community from harmful content.