Elsagate: Difference between revisions
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'''[[wikipedia:Elsagate|Elsagate]]''' refers to a type of incident where malicious content creators are left unrestrained to publish illicit content that is targeted towards minors. Residing among video platforms such as ''[[YouTube]]'' and ''[[TikTok]]'', millions of minors have been left affected by the negligence of the companies that maintain them. | '''[[wikipedia:Elsagate|Elsagate]]''' refers to a type of incident where malicious content creators are left unrestrained to publish illicit content that is targeted towards minors. Residing among video platforms such as ''[[YouTube]]'' and ''[[TikTok]]'', millions of minors have been left affected by the negligence of the companies that maintain them. | ||
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Elsagate content is associated with mature content that is covered by a thin façade of what audiences would initially expect to be child-friendly content. The content itself takes advantage of a multitude of mediums, such as flash-style animation, stop-motion or claymation, live action footage, or most recently, [[Generative AI|AI generation]]. Most videos uploaded would take advantage of methods to take advantage of the algorithm with junk [[wikipedia:Index_term|keywords]] and [[wikipedia:Buzzword|buzzwords]] in the titles like "education" or "nursery rhymes", and the attention of children or unaware parents with bright thumbnails and recognizable characters. | Elsagate content is associated with mature content that is covered by a thin façade of what audiences would initially expect to be child-friendly content. The content itself takes advantage of a multitude of mediums, such as flash-style animation, stop-motion or claymation, live action footage, or most recently, [[Generative AI|AI generation]]. Most videos uploaded would take advantage of methods to take advantage of the algorithm with junk [[wikipedia:Index_term|keywords]] and [[wikipedia:Buzzword|buzzwords]] in the titles like "education" or "nursery rhymes", and the attention of children or unaware parents with bright thumbnails and recognizable characters. | ||
==Version 1 - (2016-2017)== | ==Version 1 - (2016-2017)<!-- Sources TBA: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2017/11/28/youtubes-elsagate-illuminates-the-unintended-horrors-of-the-digital-age/ | https://theweek.com/89701/does-elsagate-prove-youtube-is-too-big-to-control | https://www.theverge.com/culture/2017/11/21/16685874/kids-youtube-video-elsagate-creepiness-psychology -->== | ||
The initial introduction of Elsagate content started at an unknown date, however its presence was mostly discovered by outlets such as ''The Guardian'' in 2016,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |date=Jun 29, 2016 |title=YouTube's latest hit: neon superheroes, giant ducks and plenty of lycra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/youtube-superheroes-children-webs-tiaras |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123024539/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/youtube-superheroes-children-webs-tiaras |archive-date=Nov 23, 2017 |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> where the content was rather tame with no dialogue, only taking advantage of characters owned by large companies that would be popular among children, such as Spider-Man or Elsa. The following year, the content eventually became far more questionable, such as sexual behaviors and [[wikipedia:Scatological_humor|scatological humor]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Popper |first=Ben |date=Feb 20, 2017 |title=Adults dressed as superheroes is YouTube's new, strange, and massively popular genre |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/20/14489052/youtube-kids-videos-superheroes-disney-characters-fart-jokes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060333/https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/20/14489052/youtube-kids-videos-superheroes-disney-characters-fart-jokes |archive-date=Nov 13, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Deal |first=Rachel |date=Feb 23, 2017 |title=The Ballad Of Elsa And Spiderman |url=https://www.theawl.com/2017/02/the-ballad-of-elsa-and-spiderman/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041209/https://www.theawl.com/2017/02/the-ballad-of-elsa-and-spiderman/ |archive-date=Dec 1, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=The Awl}}</ref> | The initial introduction of Elsagate content started at an unknown date, however its presence was mostly discovered by outlets such as ''The Guardian'' in 2016,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |date=Jun 29, 2016 |title=YouTube's latest hit: neon superheroes, giant ducks and plenty of lycra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/youtube-superheroes-children-webs-tiaras |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123024539/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/youtube-superheroes-children-webs-tiaras |archive-date=Nov 23, 2017 |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> where the content was rather tame with no dialogue, only taking advantage of characters owned by large companies that would be popular among children, such as Spider-Man or Elsa. The following year, the content eventually became far more questionable, such as sexual behaviors and [[wikipedia:Scatological_humor|scatological humor]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Popper |first=Ben |date=Feb 20, 2017 |title=Adults dressed as superheroes is YouTube's new, strange, and massively popular genre |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/20/14489052/youtube-kids-videos-superheroes-disney-characters-fart-jokes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060333/https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/20/14489052/youtube-kids-videos-superheroes-disney-characters-fart-jokes |archive-date=Nov 13, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Deal |first=Rachel |date=Feb 23, 2017 |title=The Ballad Of Elsa And Spiderman |url=https://www.theawl.com/2017/02/the-ballad-of-elsa-and-spiderman/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041209/https://www.theawl.com/2017/02/the-ballad-of-elsa-and-spiderman/ |archive-date=Dec 1, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=The Awl}}</ref> | ||
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Features have included the following:<!--Need to flesh this list out more--> | Features have included the following:<!--Need to flesh this list out more--> | ||
* Disabling comments on videos marked 'for kids' | *Disabling comments on videos marked 'for kids' | ||
* Disabling "targeted" advertising on marked videos | *Disabling "targeted" advertising on marked videos | ||
* Loss of monetization for some marked videos | *Loss of monetization for some marked videos | ||
== Version 2 - 'Aphmaugate' (2020- | ==Version 2 - 'Aphmaugate' (2020 - Present)<!--Maybe pile: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDCdCxevFe9CajBTj-6uVUotOLbwBx0at < a short list of videos that document falsely marked videos | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4g0voH_15YoTrQ7QSV9h-7aYbTv6uvBC < a 2nd one | https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18xhcmi/the_famous_nyan_cat_video_has_been_mark_made_for/--><!-- To be added: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1904.08910 < Related: https://github.com/akariueda/DLAForElsagate | https://www.wired.com/story/your-kid-may-be-watching-ai-generated-videos-on-youtube/ <<< Premium article -->== | ||
In the start of the 2020s, the content resurfaced in the feeds of users, especially as the height of 'lockdown' encouraged an increase in screen time among all demographics. Compared to the previous iteration, the content would instead infringe on smaller indie intellectual properties and game franchises.<ref>{{Cite news |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=Mar 30, 2021 |title=Blood, Poop, and Violence: YouTube Has a Creepy Minecraft Problem |url=https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-minecraft-among-us-disturbing-videos/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Wired}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Hajjaji |first=Danya |date=Apr 12, 2022 |title=Violent YouTube Cartoons Exploit Children's Favorite Horror Characters |url=https://www.newsweek.com/violent-youtube-cartoons-exploit-children-favorite-horror-characters-1696854 |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Newsweek}}</ref> The content was considerably more violent and mature in nature, such as murder, abuse, and drugs.<ref name=":0" /> | In the start of the 2020s, the content resurfaced in the feeds of users, especially as the height of 'lockdown' encouraged an increase in screen time among all demographics. Compared to the previous iteration, the content would instead infringe on smaller indie intellectual properties and game franchises.<ref>{{Cite news |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=Mar 30, 2021 |title=Blood, Poop, and Violence: YouTube Has a Creepy Minecraft Problem |url=https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-minecraft-among-us-disturbing-videos/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Wired}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Hajjaji |first=Danya |date=Apr 12, 2022 |title=Violent YouTube Cartoons Exploit Children's Favorite Horror Characters |url=https://www.newsweek.com/violent-youtube-cartoons-exploit-children-favorite-horror-characters-1696854 |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Newsweek}}</ref> The content was considerably more violent and mature in nature, such as murder, abuse, and drugs.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
This period had also shown content created intended explicitly for mature audiences being automatically marked for kids against the wishes of the creator,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=Jul 5, 2022 |title=YouTube flags horror video as “for kids,” won’t let creator change rating |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/07/youtube-flags-horror-video-as-for-kids-wont-let-creator-change-rating/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u/davidverner |date=Nov 5, 2021 |title=Is this actually a thing, forcing videos to YouTube Kids because it's about a cartoon series? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/qnq6m0/is_this_actually_a_thing_forcing_videos_to/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> which harms the monetization of their content<ref>{{Cite news |last=nuckles87 |date=July 13, 2023 |title=YouTube goes after Balena Productions' Sonic Animations, Marking Them "Made For Kids" |url=https://www.sonicstadium.org/news/fandom/youtube-goes-after-balena-productions-sonic-animations-marking-them-made-for-kids-r1145/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Sonic Stadium}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Muska327 |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Looks like YouTube has it out for Sonic content now. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SonicTheHedgehog/comments/um99om/looks_like_youtube_has_it_out_for_sonic_content/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> and contributes to the harm of children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Tom |date=Jan 9, 2020 |title=YouTube COPPA changes result in videos with violence, gore, and strong language being labeled “made for kids” |url=https://reclaimthenet.org/youtube-coppa-changes-violent-videos-made-for-kids |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Reclaim The Net}}</ref> | The indie mascot horror scene has particularly faced the theft of their IP for the purposes of content farming for kids, even causing the creator of Sprunki<!-- Maybe link? https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/NyankoBfLol | ||
| | |||
It is not exactly well-developed, but it is a concentrated source on the creator of the project -->, an indie version of [[wikipedia:Incredibox|Incredibox]], to quit their project partially due to the abuse of their IP inside content farms:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swanaenae |date=Mar 11, 2025 |title=Elsagate Is Back, And It's Worse |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bblxWCB879s |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=NyankoBfLol |title=Post from NyankoBfLol |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOEYetac6aKZ4jRlD7W5mEg/community?lb=Ugkx3COGIT5fhgh08jzUNuzX57fHFPsIbU7m |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NyankoBfLol |date=Dec 2, 2024 |title=about sprunki... (and a few other situations related) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUoGbPWakB4 |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><!-- I am not 100% sure about me including this, looking for discussion of the relevance/scope of this specific incident on the wiki. - JamesTDG --><blockquote>I have a secret that I have been keeping for a while. But after getting hacked, I noticed it's a bit too late. But lemme say this anyway | |||
Sprunki 2 has already been cancelled this whole time. | |||
The situation was already bad enough, such as messed up content farms, overpopularity, and what the idiots called "sprunki ripoff". I just haven't told you yet because of the STUPIDEST reason so lemme just ruin the surprise | |||
It's because of a planned APRIL FOOLS sprunki 2. | |||
It was supposed to be a whole ass meme game. But at some point in game, you get a video about the cancellation of sprunki. I haven't tell you that I cancelled it yet because it would ruin the fun (kinda stupid i know) | |||
At this point, I'm gonna cancel the sprunki update. I'll release the cancelled version when I want to. | |||
This is a good thing for me because I can finally focus on something I actually enjoy making. | |||
I'll make a video about this later | |||
But for now, spread the words | |||
#sprunkiisdead</blockquote>This period had also shown content created intended explicitly for mature audiences being automatically marked for kids against the wishes of the creator,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=Jul 5, 2022 |title=YouTube flags horror video as “for kids,” won’t let creator change rating |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/07/youtube-flags-horror-video-as-for-kids-wont-let-creator-change-rating/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u/davidverner |date=Nov 5, 2021 |title=Is this actually a thing, forcing videos to YouTube Kids because it's about a cartoon series? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/qnq6m0/is_this_actually_a_thing_forcing_videos_to/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> which harms the monetization of their content<ref>{{Cite news |last=nuckles87 |date=July 13, 2023 |title=YouTube goes after Balena Productions' Sonic Animations, Marking Them "Made For Kids" |url=https://www.sonicstadium.org/news/fandom/youtube-goes-after-balena-productions-sonic-animations-marking-them-made-for-kids-r1145/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Sonic Stadium}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Muska327 |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Looks like YouTube has it out for Sonic content now. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SonicTheHedgehog/comments/um99om/looks_like_youtube_has_it_out_for_sonic_content/ |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> and contributes to the harm of children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Tom |date=Jan 9, 2020 |title=YouTube COPPA changes result in videos with violence, gore, and strong language being labeled “made for kids” |url=https://reclaimthenet.org/youtube-coppa-changes-violent-videos-made-for-kids |access-date=Jun 8, 2025 |work=Reclaim The Net}}</ref> | |||
==Version 3 - 'AIgate' (2023 - Present)== | |||
An offshoot of the previous version emerged with the growth of [[generative AI]], and compared to the speed of human output, AI generated videos proliferated excessively on video platforms. Initially this content was a series of poorly stitched-together static images,<!-- I was spotting them before however any that I can point out now from my history have been delisted. Fine getting this sentence revised - JamesTDG --> however as access to AI-powered video generators increased and the costs to use these additionally became cheaper, consumers on several video platforms were faced with a flood of AI generated videos<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tang |first=Jiaru |date=Sep 19, 2024 |title=Behind the AI slop flooding TikTok and Facebook |url=https://www.thetimes.com.au/world/34647-behind-the-ai-slop-flooding-tiktok-and-facebook |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |work=The Times AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Salvador |first=Francheska |date=Mar 10, 2025 |title=Is your feed full of AI ‘slop’? Trending low-quality AI videos in a nutshell |url=https://torontoobserver.ca/2025/03/10/is-your-feed-full-of-ai-slop-trending-low-quality-ai-videos-in-a-nutshell/ |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |work=The Toronto Observer}}</ref> that exhibited disturbing imagery and elements suitable only for mature audiences, while maintaining the façade of looking like it is content for kids.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Holliday |first=Laura |date=May 2, 2025 |title=Dozens of YouTube Channels Are Showing AI-Generated Cartoon Gore and Fetish Content |url=https://www.wired.com/story/dozens-of-youtube-channels-are-showing-ai-generated-cartoon-gore-and-fetish-content/ |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |work=WIRED}}</ref> | |||
A highlight of these channels are centered around the tag "Cute Cat", which has notably been discussed by creators<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Raymundo 2112 |date=Feb 28, 2025 |title=Elsagate 3.0 Is Worse Than we Thought. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjOybKOm2Tc&t=1s |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Upper Echelon |date=May 6, 2025 |title=ElsaGate is BACK - (In 2025) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pekrc2nIJaA |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Timcast IRL |date=Apr 23, 2025 |title=AI Brainrot SLOP Is TAKING OVER The Internet, ElsaGate 3 IS HERE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxV3my4QzYU |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and outlets<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanctionite |date=May 24, 2025 |title=Elsagate 2.0: AI-Generated Content Targets Kids on YouTube |url=https://upperechelon.gg/elsagate-2-ai-generated-content-targets-kids-youtube/ |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=Upper Echelon}}</ref> alike. The AI generated cat videos show disturbing imagery involving humanoid cats, often depicted as a child, either committing or facing disturbing acts like abuse, physical trauma, torture, and more.<ref>{{Cite news |title=AI-Generated Cartoon Gore: A Disturbing Trend on YouTube Like Elsagate |url=https://digialps.com/ai-generated-cartoon-gore-a-disturbing-trend-on-youtube-like-elsagate/ |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |work=DigiAlps}}</ref><!-- Tempted to delete this ref; it links zero sources, mentions no writer, and has no creation date. Will likely delete if I find something better. --><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=BitterSnake |date=Jan 13, 2025 |title=Cute Cat AI {{!}} The Next Elsa Gate {{!}} Content Warning: Gore, disturbing imagery |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnlvfMx9Q4I |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | |||
Some of these channels will label that the content is not intended for children, however, they neglect to leave these content warnings outside of the comment section.<ref name=":5" /><!-- 5:15 in the video. Be careful watching, I actually dry heaved during this video. --> Due to the mixture of paranoia from previous Elsagate-type incidents and a difficult to control kids app,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=That_Commission |date=Jun 1, 2021 |title=Parental controls are a terrible way of monitoring what you kid does on the internet. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/unpopularopinion/comments/npv5vs/parental_controls_are_a_terrible_way_of/ |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=C. |first=Michael |date=Sep 27, 2020 |title=I want to allow ONLY specific YouTube Channel(s) on my child's browser or app |url=https://support.google.com/youtubekids/thread/73612494?hl=en#redirected=true |access-date=Jun 23, 2020 |website=[[Google]] Support}}</ref> parents have lost trust in [[YouTube Kids]],<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Ok-Counter-7077 |date=Jul 2, 2022 |title=Anyone else hate YouTube kids? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/vq12fz/anyone_else_hate_youtube_kids/ |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> meaning they are at risk of accidentally showing this traumatizing content to their own children. | |||
Despite the excess in disturbing content, both YouTube and its parent company Google have neglected to stop the proliferation of this content on its platform. | |||
==Consumer response<!--Needs a LOT more elaboration here, will handle later.-->== | ==Consumer response<!--Needs a LOT more elaboration here, will handle later.-->== | ||
The initial response from the public of the first version of the incident was excessively negative, with users agreeing to refuse to use YouTube kids due to a lack of adequate parental controls for the content that would be shown to the user. | The initial response from the public of the first version of the incident was excessively negative, with users agreeing to refuse to use YouTube kids due to a lack of adequate parental controls for the content that would be shown to the user.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /><!-- Regarding ref 29: I would like to point out that the solution that got marked as the recommended answer actually does not tell users how to control the specific channels a kid can watch. Also, it is restricted to anything labeled for YT Kids only. --> Version 3 has especially brought significant backlash due to the explicit nature of the videos being published and being shown to children using the platform.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||