Why Was a 9/11 Memorial Video Age-Restricted?

On December 13, 2020, Reasons for Hope* Jesus received the following email from YouTube:

Hi Reasons for Hope* Jesus, 

We wanted to let you know that our team has reviewed your content and we don’t think it’s in line with our Community Guidelines. As a result, we’ve age- restricted the following content: 

Video: 9/11 Tribute — Always Remember September 11, 2001 

We haven’t applied a strike to your channel, and your content is still live for some users on YouTube… 

What “age-restricted” means 

We age-restrict content when we don’t think it’s suitable for younger audiences. This means it will not be visible to users who are logged out, are under 18 years of age, or have Restricted Mode enabled. It also won’t be eligible for ads. 

What’s That About?

Let me share some background and reasoning about the video, and you can come to your own conclusion about why it was age-restricted.  

In 2018, we created and posted this video to remember those who died on 9/11, titled: Remember 9/11 – Cry Out to Jesus – The Answer for All Who Suffer

In 2019, we created and posted this video as another remembrance of those who died on 9/11, titled: 9/11 Tribute — Always Remember September 11, 2001

Age Restriction of 2019 Video

As said above, the video created and posted in 2019 was age-restricted by YouTube on December 13, 2020.  We were  not given any specific reason and were only informed “we don’t think [the content] suitable for younger audiences.”  

What content?  The song? The images? The President’s words?

Comparing 2018 and 2019 Tributes

Both videos feature songs with beautiful and touching words — the 2019 age-restricted video featured Amy Grant’s song, We Will Remember,  which is about remembering those who died The 2018 video featured Third Day’s song Cry Out To Jesus, which is about finding hope and strength in the Lord during loss. 

It can’t be the songs.  There is nothing objectionable in either song.

Both videos feature similar images of the tragedy and sorrow of 9/11 — images used all over the world and none worthy of being censored.  While varied, the images in both the 2019 age-restricted video and the 2018 video are very similar.  They chronicle a historical event, so there should be nothing objectionable about the 2019 images. And if there was, the same should be applied to the 2018 video — and it was not age-restricted.

So what about the President’s Words? 

There is a significant variation in the introduction of the videos.  

2018 Video (view it below)

The 2018 video featured President Bush’s spoken words to the nation on 9/11:

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. 

…Today, our nation saw evil — the very worst of human nature — and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

None of us will ever forget this day… (1)

2019 Video (view it below)

Excerpt from President Bush’s words to a joint session of Congress and the nation on Sept 20, 2001

From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put on notice, we’re not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans.

…please continue praying for the victims of terror and their families, for those in uniform and for our great country. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.

…Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.

…Fellow citizens, we’ll meet violence with patient justice, assured of the rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come.

In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom and may he watch over the United States of America. (2)

(1) https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010911-16.html
(2) https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/specials/attacked/transcripts/bushaddress_092001.html

Unsuitable Content or an Attempt to Suppress the Truth?

You decide.  But as you do, pause to remember the victims of 9/11.  Pray for their families who still miss them.  And take a couple of minutes to watch our tribute videos (The age-restricted 2019 video is hosted on Vimeo, so it can be embedded and viewed here. Thank you, Vimeo, for allowing truth to be uncensored.)

Remember 9/11 – Cry Out to Jesus – The Answer for All Who Suffer

Age-Restricted 2019 video:  9-11 Tribute — Always Remember September 11, 2001

Read more:

Has Anyone Ever Taken Your Place?  An Amazing Account + A 9/11 Tribute 
Remember 9/11 – Cry Out to Jesus – The Answer for All Who Suffer (video tribute)
Why Did the Terrorists Choose 9/11 to Attack?
Who Was the First Victim of 9/11?
The Light in the Darkness of 9/11
What to think this 9/11?
Finding Peace in the Smoke
No Room for Jesus
Always Remember September 11, 2001 ( 9/11 Tribute Video )
A 9/11 Memorial Video Age-Restricted? Why?