Deseret News | BYU unblocks on-campus access to YouTube

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BYU unblocks on-campus access to YouTube

Oh my gosh | 12:16 p.m. June 26, 2009

cats and dogs living together --- it's mass hysteria!

As good as you want to be | 12:23 p.m. June 26, 2009

This is a great move by the school, in that it will allow students access to some very fine tutorials on tools that are public domain, and an assortment of other training materials, and the chance to promote Mormonism from the campus. All are great plusses.

I hope the students will be able to show restraint and will not abuse this privilege by being lured in to the obvious seemy underbelly of Youtube which is fixated on shirtless confessions of anything deviant and perverse, and the prolific tendency to use profanity and crude humor. I hate how Youtube will list "popular" links at the bottom of even the most spiritual video most of which are highly innappropriate for most sensible human beings.

TERRIBLE!!! | 12:39 p.m. June 26, 2009

BYU should not exclude content based on censorship but out of a moral duty to the majority. BYU students agree to an honor code when they attend and why in the world would BYU knowingly allow this trash onto their campus, thus providing a chance that the students will stumble on something inappropriate? I cannot fathom this move. Morals are constant and do/should not change based on changing societal norms. This shows that the University is holding too closely to the arms length distance from society at all times. Get it right and continue to block this site and others like it (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, other time-wasters)

Comments continue below

Edumacational | 12:41 p.m. June 26, 2009

"The educational and informational materials now available"?

Yeah, where else would a BYU student go to learn vital career skills, such as how to make fountains out of Diet Coke and Mentos? Or if an iPhone can be ground up by a blender? Or that you can remix Shamwow infomercials into club tunes?

Don't get me wrong - unblocking youtube was the right thing to do. But the fact that they're doing it for the "educational materials" tells you something about the level of education you're going to get at BYU.

Free agency.... | 12:46 p.m. June 26, 2009

Got to love that "free agency" - err. you are free to choose what we let you do....hmmm sounds fishy.

Good job China - uh BYU.

UtahUt | 12:50 p.m. June 26, 2009

Got to protect those Children!

pablohoney | 12:55 p.m. June 26, 2009

Wow that BYU college crowd must be feeling like big kids now, how exciting! Maybe next they'll be able to think for themselves or even be allowed to consume sugar!!

Always a step behind | 1:00 p.m. June 26, 2009

So much for teaching correct principles, and self-governance. "Block it! Wait...what's that? We can use it to get our message out? Umm un-block it in a couple years."

lynn | 1:04 p.m. June 26, 2009

It was blocked in part because the servers required so much to carry it. Get the facts you waaah-waaahs. How far is it to your apartment or dorm? I personally think they should block Facebook and MySpace too. They don't need to "pay" for your social time. It's time to grow up kiddies!!!

Kid X | 1:08 p.m. June 26, 2009

I'm a big kid now! Look mommy!

re: lynn | 1:13 p.m. June 26, 2009

This decision comes out around the same time the LDS church makes their own channel and you say it was a server issue...Nice try.

SNL | 1:14 p.m. June 26, 2009

Take a look KSL - you can do it too!!! start showing Saturday Night Live again and stop making decisions for us.

Wow.. | 1:20 p.m. June 26, 2009

Unreal... Just when I think this place can't get any stranger...

Not _LDS | 1:24 p.m. June 26, 2009

Has anyone here heard of the US Constitution and freedom of Speech..wow...Did we forget about this too. Or is the LDS church trying to take that away as well.

Private University | 2:27 p.m. June 26, 2009

BYU is a private university. No one ASKED you to be here. Therefore, you have to adhere to their rules. There was no question of freedom of speech. No question of if we are or are not thinking for ourselves. If you don't like it, don't be here and give the spot to someone else who wants to. I agree that saying it's for "educational" purposes is a little crazy, but still. Stop complaining!

Jae | 2:35 p.m. June 26, 2009

Hello. BYU is a private school. A private religious school. The LDS church is paying for its existence, so yes, they have the right to do whatever they please with their money on their campus. When youtube first came out, it was nothing but a site for people to post personal videos. Now the White house posts news on youtube, CNN streams to youtube, as well as news from around the world. Additionally, the structure of youtube has changed and it is no longer downed by viruses, and most of the videos on there are no longer social spoofs like back when it first came out. BYU has blocked myspace for the same reasons, the dangers it poses to students who put too much info out and the potential for viruses it has. Facebook never had such problems, and it was never blocked. Now that myspace has tightened up security, who knows, maybe it will come of the block list eventually. BYU does its best to make sure its students don't run into things on the internet that they shouldn't use school computers for, like porn. So do many other private and public schools, for that matter.

Amazed at the critics... | 2:41 p.m. June 26, 2009

BYU is a private university, and they allow students FREE internet access on-campus, which is the only place the filtering applies. Students are free to visit whatever site they want to on non-BYU networks, so BYU isn't (and wasn't) limiting their freedom in any way. YouTube is predominantly a colossal waste of time popular among students, and video consumes lots of bandwidth. I'd sooner the university use the bandwidth they pay for in the name of education, rather than entertainment. People who complain(ed) about the lack of YouTube should consider their priorities and stop whining about being deprived of "entitlements" I agree that the same goes for Facebook and MySpace. I don't think anyone should expect ANY university to spend resources for something that essentially encourages students to waste time. Speaking of "I'm a big kid now"... It's not so hard to stop whining and pay for your own internet connection, or do without. Sheesh....

Honesty | 3:01 p.m. June 26, 2009

Funny thing is,

while the liberals here carp about the need here for free speech,

their OTHER HAND is working to shut down conservative and religious speech.

re: Private University | 3:17 p.m. June 26, 2009

I don't believe people are attacking their power as a private university. I think they are attacking their credentials a place of "higher learning."

J T Browning | 3:21 p.m. June 26, 2009

Although I am a student at a Bible College back east, I can share the views of both sides of this issue. Youtube gives one access to some nasty stuff, as does Myspace, and other websites. BYU's decision to unblock Youtube may cause some students to abuse it and go too far....but then, these same students may have already done so in other areas. It comes down to a matter of trust. By and large, most students will abide by the Honor Code and avoid Youtube anyway, or else only use it for it's better, higher purposes. To those who do not abide by the honor code, blocking is irrelevant - they would find a way to do the less honorable thing anyway. All of the major social networking sites, including Youtube, Myspace, and Facebook, are available on this Bible college campus, for better or for worse. I, for my own part have chosen to block Youtube and Myspace from my own computer via Covenant Eyes filter. Those who, by choice, abuse the internet in any way, will sooner or later suffer the consequences.

Maybe | 3:47 p.m. June 26, 2009

some BYU students might have to decide for themselves not to look at porn and other harmful things on the internet someday... What then? UNBELEIVABLE!!!!!
Why aren't BYU students required to shower and perform personal hygiene by these same rules and regulations?

Iran or BYU | 3:53 p.m. June 26, 2009

Kind of funny- BYU has a lot in common with Iran.

Education | 4:00 p.m. June 26, 2009

BYU provides free internet access for students. The purpose of the university is education. Can you blame them for limiting their free internet to educational purposes.
In my mind YouTube is still questionable as an educational site. However, we have seen recently that more educational material is becoming available there. They made a great rational decision to allow access.
As a private university providing free internet access, BYU should be able to limit the internet as they see fit. Save yourself the embarassment of putting something about the 1st amendment on here.

Yes, it has educational value | 4:25 p.m. June 26, 2009

I'm a political science faculty member who lobbied for this change. I've wanted to show political speeches, campaign ads, old news footage, and all sorts of relevant historical videos in class, but I couldn't because they were blocked (unless I went through an annoying, time-consuming process to get an exception).

Just because the large majority of youtube content has no educational value doesn't mean that there isn't a TON of highly relevant material on there.

Re: TERRIBLE!! | 5:11 p.m. June 26, 2009

I hope you're kidding. While such sites can be "time wasters" there is nothing inherently wrong with them. By your standards it seems that commenting on a DesNews article is a time waster, so if it's so evil why are you doing it? If you're kidding please disregard my sharpness.

Anyway, Youtube does have educational value. Several of my professors in everything from Physics to Manufacturing Processes to Sociology have used it multiple times in presentations and to good effect. For example, try searching "quantum mechanics" on YouTube and you will find some very informative and useful media on that and related subjects. Yes, you will get some ridiculous and useless stuff too, but that's the same as google.com. It doesn't make any more sense to block YouTube than it does to block Google.

Anonymous | 5:14 p.m. June 26, 2009

Mormons may be able to learn a little about their prophet Joseph Smith. On the website "Lost Book of Abraham" there is a full length video that tells the true story of the book of Abraham. It is a funery document and even the facsimilies have nothing to do with Abraham. They can find out that there is no archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon claims or no DNA evidence linking Native Americans to Jerusalem, etc. The church is interested in controlling what the people read and when an occasional member finds out some of the real facts, there is FARMS to the rescue to spin the situation . I think it is time for the church to let people find out the facts and quit trying to sanitize the reality of the church's history. I doubt this will get past censorship.

Randy | 5:38 p.m. June 26, 2009

Hey Anonymous:

Do you attack all churches or just ours.

Get a life!

Seriously?! | 6:31 p.m. June 26, 2009

If you are seriously having a problem with people watching YouTube, you need to look over yourself. It is just the same with internet in general. If you use it in the wrong way, then that is your fault. Not the school's for not cutting it out. YouTube is a great way to entertain, educate, and communicate. It is there to enjoy, and use to our liking. If you are terrified that you can't handle such a responsibility to use it in a good way, then what are you doing on the internet in the first place?

Jeff Ward | 6:39 p.m. June 26, 2009

I was 3x more productive in college without youtube, I'm sure of it. Even though I dont object to it on any moral grounds (generally), I do feel bad for students who will get lost/distracted on it. Facebook was bad enough!

Property trumps all | 5:36 a.m. June 27, 2009

I don't care one way or the other if BYU blocks or unblocks YouTube. What is important is that their property and the use of it by others is controlled completely by them. Those that choose to take advantage of what BYU has to offer must abide by their rules and regulations. If that means their access to free speech is limited, so be it. Those that feel they are being harmed by the authority that comes from the right to own property always have the option to vote with their feet.

Joshthebadbear | 7:44 a.m. June 27, 2009

Anonymous, Go play with the other kids nicely, wipe your nose and pull up your drawers, tuck that shirt in too.

What a wuss. How I'd love to meet you someday and see if you are as rude face to face as you are hiding behind your pathetic monitor.

Boo !

Adults and private schools | 7:49 a.m. June 27, 2009

BYU is a private school and the adults that attend choose to be there. They choose to submit to the rules of the university. They give the responsibility to make good choices over to that institution.

However this is ridiculous to someone outside the LDS religion. Most people demand to be treated like adults. If BYU alumni or students have a problem with the ridicule that's your choice.

Oh my goodness | 7:59 a.m. June 27, 2009

Parent all over the church are blocking YouTube from their kids and now the Church has a web site. Obviously the brethren have never spent any time on the web page. Have anyof them seen the very questionable content????Would be interesting to know who at the administrative level pushed for this.

ABOUT TIME | 8:32 a.m. June 27, 2009

I attend BYU for the cheap tuition more than anything else, and this block has been, by far, the most ridiculous policy made by the school. Removing it is evidence of a glimmer of sanity in the administration.

What's next, reasonable financial aid limits so students aren't forced to seek private loans at higher interest rates? Or, hey, how about firing the deadweight employees rather than treating them as if they were untouchable? Or maybe, just maybe, canceling useless and annoying BYUSA elections? Pretty please?

ron | 9:07 a.m. June 27, 2009

yes educational value. just go to utube and it is all there for you. heaven forbid you should use a little of your time to get educated. never mind the frog in the soon to be boiling water. careful what you wish for.

To Anonymous 5:14 p.m. | 9:23 a.m. June 27, 2009

You: Mormons may be able to learn a little about their prophet Joseph Smith... "Lost Book of Abraham" etc.

Wow, your message got past "censorship"!

Er, Mormons have always been able to access what you cite. It was only the minority, part-time on the BYU campus itself who were blocked.

As for the video and other "evidence" you mention, I've seen and/or read them, and they are full of distortions, half-truths, and misrepresentations. Thankfully, I've read enough to know better. Maybe unblocking youtube will help a few more people get ALL of the truth, not just your jaded version of it.

If you knew anything about population dynamics and DNA, you would never make the claims you have. So, is it "spin" when an VERITABLE expert in the field (like molecular biology, or mesoamerican anthropology) fills in all the gaps you happen to ignore or hide? Who is controlling information now?

There is no way the Church can control what anyone reads or accesses, especially in today's world. That is mere assertion on your part. And your "facts" are questionable at best.

To ALL!!! | 11:14 a.m. June 27, 2009

Just quit complaining, you Mormon lover and Mormon haters, this is not the place to take it out. And this is not about liberal or conservative either. You all need to grow up. Truth is, it's their private school; do whatever the hell you want. It's your money and it's your school.
Everyone else, SHUT UP!

Alpine non-Cougar | 11:50 a.m. June 27, 2009

I attended a small Lutheran college in Minnesota in 1975. Smoking and cigarette machines were banned on campus, alcohol possession and consumption, as well as simply being tipsy, were grounds for suspension, and dancing had been allowed on campus only in the previous 10 years. Donors had some say in the cigarette ban (as I understood the situation), but the trustees were the ones "banning and un-banning" things, generally.

The campus wasn't so big that you couldn't take a walk to the edge (how apt!) to get a nicotine fix, and there were watering holes downtown that did a land-office business on the weekend as the college kids unwound.

I don't remember there being as much discussion about "control" and "censorship" there as there is here regarding what BYU is up to. My little college evolved in its policies and procedures, and it doesn't surprise me that BYU does, either. I'll bet every school in the state and country does. It's administrative decision-making at its most boring. So where does all the animus and bitterness come from? For those who want sinister, I suggest late-night AM radio.

Anonymous | 1:55 p.m. June 27, 2009

Sanity, finally!

Aaron | 3:43 p.m. June 28, 2009

There are some good YouTube channels with material the disproves Mormonism. See mrmdotorg, aaronshaf2006, EvidenceMinistries, and testskriftene.

Otis Spurlock | 7:30 p.m. June 29, 2009

Aaron, to whom are you posting? Youtube was only cut off on campus, or was this a chance for some free advertising for the anti-Mormon websites that you sustain and maintain?

It had been a few years, but I checked out Mormonism "Research" Ministries hoping perhaps they'd upgraded their approach. No such luck - still the same style, to wit: Develop a thesis, sift through obscure Mormon journals and documents, ignore all the stuff that goes against your theory and lift out the phrase that supports it, and write a little article about it. Or, if you don't have the time, find some peculiar incident involving Mormons and make a mountain out of a molehill.

This is all your sources "prove".

I was always disappointed that among all the countercultists that condemned Ed Decker, Bill McKeever was not one of them.

Who said it?
I am now convinced that we evangelicals have often seriously misrepresented the beliefs and practices of the Mormon community. Indeed, let me state it bluntly: we have sinned against you."

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