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YouTube Is Looking Into 'Further Consequences' Over Logan Paul's Disturbing Suicide Video
Logan Paul, a YouTube star with more than 15 million subscribers, created a video in Japan's "suicide forest" that went viral for all the wrong reasons.
YouTube has released a statement after Logan Paul's disturbing video. The video hub condemned the creator and is looking into "further consequences" after Paul's viral video of a suicide in Japan.
"We expect more of the creators who build their community on @YouTube, as we’re sure you do too. The channel violated our community guidelines, we acted accordingly, and we are looking at further consequences," tweeted YouTube. YouTube also acknowledged that it has taken a long time to respond since the controversial video. "It’s taken us a long time to respond, but we’ve been listening to everything you’ve been saying. We know that the actions of one creator can affect the entire community, so we’ll have more to share soon on steps we’re taking to ensure a video like this is never circulated again."
As ABC News shares, Paul posted a video of himself in in Aokigahara, a forest in Japan, on December 31. The area is known by locals as the "suicide forest." According to CNN, the forest is known as a place where people commit suicide. Aokigahara forest, "is known as a place where many people choose to commit suicide," shared Karen Nakamura, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. When entering the forest, visitors are welcomed with a sign reminding them that life is precious. "Quietly think once more about your parents, siblings or children," the sign says in Japanese. "Please don't suffer alone, and first reach out."
Paul's video showcased what appeared to be a man hanging from a tree. Critics blasted the video as Paul exploiting human suffering for his channel. As Nakamura explains,"It's not surprising to find a body there," she said. "But there's a degree of outrage that a foreigner would choose to trivialize or monetize it through YouTube."
Logan Paul is a popular YouTuber with over 15.6 million subscribers. Following the backlash, he posted a video apology. "I don't expect to be forgiven. I'm simply here to apologize," he said. "None of us knew how to react or how to feel." He has since been quiet on the platform, tweeting that he's been reflecting. "taking time to reflect. no vlog for now. see you soon."
[Photo: Getty Images]
