Piper Rockelle Bikini Thumbnails Violate Baby Security Coverage: YouTube

• YouTube took down three video thumbnails from 14-year-old Piper Rockelle’s channel.
• The platform informed Insider that the video thumbnails violated its youngster security coverage.
• Rockelle’s swimsuit photographs beforehand drew criticism from the singer Pink.

On Thursday night, YouTube eliminated the thumbnails from three of Piper Rockelle’s videos as a result of they violated the platform’s child safety policy, a spokesperson for the platform informed Insider. 

The 14-year-old with 8.2 million YouTube subscribers drew attention on Sunday when the singer Pink tweeted that Rockelle was being “exploited” by her mom. Led by the superstar’s tweet, outrage has bubbled up across the teen’s social-media photographs and YouTube video thumbnails, which continuously function the influencer sporting bikinis.

YouTube eliminated the thumbnails in query after Insider requested whether or not they violated the platform’s youngster security coverage, which prohibits content material that endangers the emotional and bodily well being of minors, together with content material that sexually exploits minors. The coverage additionally states that content material marketed in direction of younger audiences and households that comprises mature themes just isn’t allowed. 

The three thumbnails YouTube pulled have since been changed by what look like default thumbnail photographs chosen by the platform. They accompanied movies titled: “My Boyfriend Reacts to Style Nova Swimsuit Haul **BODY SHAMING PRANK**,” “MY BOYFRIEND WALKED IN ON ME,” and “Carrying A Sizzling Outfit Then Leaving Him! **Cute Response**.”

The movies had been nonetheless accessible and working commercials as of Thursday night. 

YouTube eliminated the thumbnail on “My Boyfriend Reacts to Style Nova Swimsuit Haul” however left the pictures on “Calling My Boyfriend Daddy To See How He Reacts” and “I Opened My Personal Automobile Wash At Residence.”


Screenshot YouTube/Piper Rockelle

One of many eliminated thumbnails confirmed Rockelle holding a towel round herself whereas her 16-year-old boyfriend Lev Cameron appeared away, with a purple “CENSORED” label hanging within the prime proper of the picture.

The second thumbnail confirmed Rockelle and one other woman wearing pink swimsuits whereas two boys watched them from a sofa, every boy holding an indication that appeared to indicate them ranking the women.

Within the third, Rockelle and one other woman wore bikinis whereas standing in a doorway. Quote bubbles above the women indicated they had been “leaving,” with the boys’ quote bubbles saying “NO!” and “STOP!”

These movies have between 1.4 and seven.9 million views as of Thursday night. A few of Piper’s movies have as many as 32 million and 27 million views.

A consultant for the Rockelles was not instantly accessible for touch upon YouTube’s choice.

YouTube’s motion follows latest controversy over Rockelle’s content material. On Sunday, Pink tweeted that Rockelle’s mom, Tiffany Rockelle, was taking inappropriate bikini footage of the 14-year-old. 

“What number of children like Piper Rockelle are being exploited by their dad and mom?” she tweeted. 

—P!nk (@Pink) August 29, 2021

Piper and Tiffany Rockelle beforehand refuted the accusation in statements to Insider. 

“There’s nothing mistaken with being in a bikini,” Piper mentioned in a press release emailed by a consultant. “Pics of youngsters in bikinis having enjoyable are usually not sexual. They’re solely sexual in case you view us that approach.”

Piper is thought for making prank and problem movies on YouTube that focus on her good friend group and romantic relationships, in addition to releasing music by means of Common Music Group and starring in Brat TV exhibits like “Mani” and “Piperazzi.”

Issues over Rockelle’s content material have unfold on YouTube since no less than 2019. This yr, a number of well-liked movies criticizing the perceived grownup nature of her thumbnails and video content have amassed upwards of 100,000 views.  

Plotlines in her movies embrace love triangles, pranks, and — as involved viewers and YouTubers have identified — sexually suggestive themes, like Piper making an attempt to “distract” her boyfriend by doing squats in entrance of his face whereas sporting tight leggings. 

Read more stories from Insider’s Digital Culture desk.