Free speech does not warrant hate speech. The comments section has long been a forum for abuse and profanity. And this is not censored in any form from the general public or young. I challenge you. Find the most innocuous video on YouTube and chances are if comments are enabled you will soon find yourself exposed to unrelated abuse in every shape or form. Whether it is insulting someone’s race, religion, or personal attacks on other users, YouTube is NOT the place for these discussions.

In an age where everyone has an equal platform to reach out and express themselves we often see the worst of us brought to the surface and this privilege is abused. People vent or are simply there to cause umbrage. The comments invoke and enhance greater divisions, prejudice and hatred between users and increase aggression in those who not only write it but are exposed to reading it to.

Is this not in direct conflict for what YouTube exists for? To unite, to share and to express ourselves with dignity and grace?

Yes the line for what constitutes as ‘offensive’ can be debated and one person’s opinion is another’s offence. But surely this does not need to be so complicated? Some common sense application and simple content filters on a list of banned words would clean up and transform YouTube overnight.

Users too need to exercise restraint and accept accountability. But responsibility lies with these global platforms to take the first step. Perhaps I am taking this too seriously or there are bigger battles to fight. Or perhaps not. After all we are all a product of the environments we are exposed to. YouTube – we are waiting.