Should Logan Paul Be Allowed on YouTube?

Logan Paul returned to YouTube last week following a controversial hiatus. Was it too soon? We asked our members.

Update (11 Feb): Since returning to YouTube, Logan Paul has been penalised for another controversial video (in which he shoots a taser at a dead rat). YouTube has also instituted a new policy for penalties. The article as originally published follows.

“Should Logan Paul Be Allowed on YouTube?” In a word, yes.

Before you all click off and think I’m part of the Logang (ugh), hear me out.

No matter how unlikeable Logan Paul may be, until he breaches the community guidelines of the platform, we as the community should not be given the power of stopping him from returning.

Let me explain.

One of YouTube’s unique characteristics has been its self-policing nature, and while in most cases that has been a good thing, in this case, I think not. Giving the audience absolute power in deciding who can return and who can’t could set a dangerous precedent, especially as the times, communities and audiences change. It’s not a stretch to imagine political channels being shut down due to insidious campaign behaviour, or those with influence pulling strings to shut down competitors.

Giving the people as a whole—a subjective group—the power of policing access to information is an obstruction to free speech and freedom of expression. These are rights we all deserve, so once the people get to decide, the waters become murky.

For instance, what happens when a YouTuber you like is outed from the platform through unjust procedure? What then? Where will you stand?

We don’t know what the people at YouTube are thinking, but the only reason Paul should be stopped from returning is if he is determined to have breached community guidelines. Until then, as unlikeable, boring, distasteful or just plain bad you find Paul’s content, you have to deal with it.

YouTube’s policing on this issue is another matter entirely, and it may do us all some good to really look at how YouTube treats its creators and communities. (How was Paul’s video not removed from the Trending page for hours? Why was there such a soft response to the initial outcry? There’s certainly a lot to discuss there.)

I believe that as long as Paul does not breach community guidelines, he deserves to be allowed back. People may choose to not watch Paul, and he may choose to stop uploading, but I firmly believe that putting the power in the angry masses’ hands is an unsettling precedent that may have consequences we can’t yet foresee.

And if you believe in freedom of speech, I think you’ll agree.

Congratulations to Nirzari for winning this week's writing challenge: Should Logan Paul Be Allowed Back on YouTube? Nirzari wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Competitions section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge

Photo: YouTube.com/Logan Paul Vlogs