speakvisually wrote:

Over the past year, the Scratch moderation team has been thinking (and rethinking) our stance on Scratch projects that feature the popular video game Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF).

When these projects started appearing in the community, we heard from a number of Scratchers who questioned the appropriateness of these projects on an all-ages website. We’ve continued to hear from Scratchers, teachers, and parents who have expressed concern about these projects.

Which aspects of the games can be considered inappropriate according to the Scratch Community Guidelines? 1) Graphic content: Many projects contain disturbing imagery that can be seen as too intense for Scratch. 2) Backstory: The plot of Five Nights at Freddy's is rooted in murder and kidnapping. 3) Jumpscares: Frightening images abruptly flash on the screen.

What’s the impact of this content on Scratch? Multiple school districts have blocked access to Scratch. Several parents have reported their children having nightmares. A number of community members feel uncomfortable browsing Scratch because of this type of content.

In the coming weeks, the Scratch moderation team will begin to unshare some “Five Nights at Freddy's” content from the website. We will start to unshare emulations of the game (i.e. Scratch projects designed to be replicas of the game), since emulations of the original game contain much of the game’s original scary content and background story.

Content moderation is difficult. We want to ensure that you are all able to express yourselves while also balancing the needs of the community. We understand that unsharing and restricting content is no fun — but we hope you understand why we have decided to take this step to help make sure the Scratch community remains a friendly site for people of all ages.

Thanks,
Scratch Team

FAQ:
Why not implement an age appropriateness rating system on Scratch?
Everything shared in our community should be appropriate for all ages. Any type of age restriction placed on a project by the Scratch Team, community members, or project authors isn’t aligned with this philosophy.

Can I put a disclaimer on my Scratch project to warn people it's not for all ages?
Everything shared in our community should be appropriate for all ages. Any type of age restriction placed on a project by the Scratch Team, community members, or project authors isn’t aligned with this philosophy.

Will all Five Nights at Freddy’s content be unshared?
Nope. We’ll only unshare projects that violate our Community Guidelines. For instance: An emulation of the game containing all of the elements described above are not okay. On the other hand, a Freddy Fazbear dress up game? That’s probably okay.

Will this lead to my account being blocked?
Nah. No worries if you created a Five Nights at Freddy’s project in the past. However, we ask that you do not reshare the project if it violates the Community Guidelines.

Will I be able to reshare my project?
If you remove the parts that make the project inappropriate — the jump scares, the scary backstory, the frightening images, or any other content that isn’t appropriate. If you are unsure if your project is reshareable, you can email Contact Us and we will reevaluate your project.

fnafmcLOL wrote:

I think I will quit Scratch because of this. They forced my hand. My account is based off of FNAF. I will not stand for this awfulness. Think of the people who have been on Scratch from when FNAF started! They based their accounts on FNAF. Like me. We have lost many hours of work, effort, and fun. All because a group of schools or kids think FNAF is inappropriate. If you don't like it, don't watch it. You don't need to. At least let us have a warning or something. Geez. I might be quitting, and if you based Scratch off of FNAF and it is your life, I'd advise you to too.

the2000 wrote:

xXLamboFanXx wrote:

Personally, I think it would be best if the scary projects need to have a “Scary warning” or something, in the instructions. That way, people who aren't scared of FNAF can see the project, but little kids who are afraid can see the warning and exit the project.

Totally. I think I need a description that warns people that is easier to notice than instructions. It could also be good for the more important controls for less of “There are no controls this game stinks” comments.

Cream_E_Cookie wrote:

A 4 year old doesn't know how to read a warning

fnafmcLOL wrote:

I think I will quit Scratch because of this. They forced my hand. My account is based off of FNAF. I will not stand for this awfulness. Think of the people who have been on Scratch from when FNAF started! They based their accounts on FNAF. Like me. We have lost many hours of work, effort, and fun. All because a group of schools or kids think FNAF is inappropriate. If you don't like it, don't watch it. You don't need to. At least let us have a warning or something. Geez. I might be quitting, and if you based Scratch off of FNAF and it is your life, I'd advise you to too.

play sound [crying because the Five Nights at Toby's franchise is gone] until done

speakvisually wrote:

Over the past year, the Scratch moderation team has been thinking (and rethinking) our stance on Scratch projects that feature the popular video game Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF).

When these projects started appearing in the community, we heard from a number of Scratchers who questioned the appropriateness of these projects on an all-ages website. We’ve continued to hear from Scratchers, teachers, and parents who have expressed concern about these projects.

Which aspects of the games can be considered inappropriate according to the Scratch Community Guidelines? 1) Graphic content: Many projects contain disturbing imagery that can be seen as too intense for Scratch. 2) Backstory: The plot of Five Nights at Freddy's is rooted in murder and kidnapping. 3) Jumpscares: Frightening images abruptly flash on the screen.

What’s the impact of this content on Scratch? Multiple school districts have blocked access to Scratch. Several parents have reported their children having nightmares. A number of community members feel uncomfortable browsing Scratch because of this type of content.

In the coming weeks, the Scratch moderation team will begin to unshare some “Five Nights at Freddy's” content from the website. We will start to unshare emulations of the game (i.e. Scratch projects designed to be replicas of the game), since emulations of the original game contain much of the game’s original scary content and background story.

Content moderation is difficult. We want to ensure that you are all able to express yourselves while also balancing the needs of the community. We understand that unsharing and restricting content is no fun — but we hope you understand why we have decided to take this step to help make sure the Scratch community remains a friendly site for people of all ages.

Thanks,
Scratch Team

FAQ:
Why not implement an age appropriateness rating system on Scratch?
Everything shared in our community should be appropriate for all ages. Any type of age restriction placed on a project by the Scratch Team, community members, or project authors isn’t aligned with this philosophy.

Can I put a disclaimer on my Scratch project to warn people it's not for all ages?
Everything shared in our community should be appropriate for all ages. Any type of age restriction placed on a project by the Scratch Team, community members, or project authors isn’t aligned with this philosophy.

Will all Five Nights at Freddy’s content be unshared?
Nope. We’ll only unshare projects that violate our Community Guidelines. For instance: An emulation of the game containing all of the elements described above are not okay. On the other hand, a Freddy Fazbear dress up game? That’s probably okay.

Will this lead to my account being blocked?
Nah. No worries if you created a Five Nights at Freddy’s project in the past. However, we ask that you do not reshare the project if it violates the Community Guidelines.

Will I be able to reshare my project?
If you remove the parts that make the project inappropriate — the jump scares, the scary backstory, the frightening images, or any other content that isn’t appropriate. If you are unsure if your project is reshareable, you can email Contact Us and we will reevaluate your project.

stop all sounds

TobyTheLegoLover wrote:

Five Nights at Toby's was my first game I ever made and im literally crying now! I spent 5 days trying to make all my FNAT games perfect! If you dont put my FNAT, or any of my other FNAF projects back, i will leave scratch and never come back! I was finally happy that i could finally make my first FNAF fan-game on this website and look what youve done! All my hard work, ruined! I dont even care, how many kids get nightmares from FNAF! I am not impressed with you! I hope your happy!

play sound [crying because the Five Nights at Toby's franchise is gone] until done[/quote]



Oi! Calm down! We all know that it's your first game but this is the Scratch Team's decision. Can't you re-read what speakvisually said? FNAF is a little bit inappropriate (in my point of view) for kids who get nightmares a few seconds later. Don't be mad. (I don't know how to make a reply to another post yet.)

Pickleodeon wrote:

That's it. I'm leaving Scratch. If I can't make FNAF related projects then it's no fun. I'm deleting my account. Why can't you make a version of Scratch specifically geared towards teens?