NELK Boys is a Candian Youtube channel known for their pranks, blogs, and their brand ‘Full Send’. Basically, NELK is a brand name of young adult boys who got popularity over YouTube. YouTube offers such a strong fanbase. Lilly Singh was a YouTube star turned comedian, actor, and a talk-show host. However, with every fame step comes a responsibility. When few people acknowledge that, few don’t. The NELK Boys unfortunately fall in the latter category. The pandemic is on the rise and is at the peak of all time. Countries like the United States are specifically struggling to make ends meet. However, when teenagers forget their duty and start acting stupidly, the authorities have to take some strict actions.
What is the controversy involving NELK Boys?
NELK boys have recently started promoting anti-COVID restrictions culture. This includes protesting ‘open up gyms‘ and partying in LA. However, their feat does not stop there. They decided to take advantage of their fandom and started urging university students to party with them, breaking the law which clearly states that people should avoid gatherings at all costs.
YouTubers known as Nelk boys, after hosting an “open up gyms” protest and partying their way through LA, are now traveling to colleges encouraging students to ignore COVID restrictions to party.
Pls watch these videos this is what they’re promoting to their 3.5M young followers pic.twitter.com/sJSLEJpQYS
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) September 10, 2020
They reached Illinois State University and the gathering was immense. Students as well could face serious backlash from the authorities. ISU President Larry Dietz spoke in a conference held on Wednesday, “It gives me no joy to convey my great disappointment in the actions of those who gathered. The mayor and I are talking about the potential sanctions that the town of Normal might issue as well.”
The party hosted by the boys was attended by the “maskless crowd.” The party had a theme which was ‘large, flash-mob style‘. The town’s gathering limit is 10 or more people to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. The president also said that along with those who invited the internet personalities, those who were parents will suffer suspension and ‘interruption of students’ plans to be here.’
Consequences against the group
YouTube announced that they are temporarily demonetizing their channel as they violated their guidelines.
YouTube: “We have temporarily suspended monetization on the Nelk Boys channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy. If we see that a creator’s off-platform behavior harms our users, community, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community." pic.twitter.com/c25AqvAxuL
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) September 11, 2020
A YouTube spokesperson told Buzzfeed that Nelk Boys’ recent behavior contravened the platform’s Creator Responsibility Policy and they are creating a widespread public health risk. The group includes Kyle Forgeard, Jesse Sebastiani, and Steve Deleonardis. They have previously broken laws in their so-called prank videos like ‘Gym Lives Matter’, and ‘Drinking Fake Beer In a Self-Driving Tesla’. Now, YouTube has suspended their channel from YouTube Partner Program.
YouTube: “We have temporarily suspended monetization on the Nelk Boys channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy. If we see that a creator’s off-platform behavior harms our users, community, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community." pic.twitter.com/c25AqvAxuL
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) September 11, 2020
