YouTube bans Tide Pod challenge videos

(FOX News) -- As the #TidePodChallenge spreads like wildfire across social media, with teens daring each other to eat the miniature, neon, detergent-filled pods, YouTube has intervened and banned all videos as they violate community guidelines.

"YouTube's Community Guidelines prohibit content that's intended to encourage dangerous activities that have an inherent risk of physical harm," a YouTube spokesperson told The Daily Meal on Jan. 18. "We work to quickly remove flagged videos that violate our policies."

"We've long had policies around harmful and dangerous challenges like this one and we remove the content when flagged," the spokesperson added, noting that YouTube staffers have been removing the Tide Pod videos "for a while now."

The trend was arguably conceived in 2015 after The Onion published a piece romanticizing how delicious the pods would taste to a toddler. Soon after, College Humor took the bright idea to YouTube, where teens have found inspiration ever since to pop the chemical-laden pods in their mouths.

With the #TidePodChallenge going more viral than ever just days into 2018, Tide parent company Procter & Gamble quickly took action. On Jan. 12, they releasing a cautionary video starring New England Patriots tight end and kid favorite Rob Gronkowski scolding viewers of even thinking of munching on Tide Pods.

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