YouTube has added the 'YouTube Heroes Program', which allows users to mass flag videos when they reach the third of five total 'Levels.' Users enrolled in the program will gain points towards these levels by performing actions such as moderating inappropriate comments and flagging videos that are against YouTube's terms of service.

Essentially, the five levels allow the 'Hero' to progressively become more involved with the inner workings of YouTube. YouTube Heroes' first 'Level' begins by allowing the user to access the Heroes 'dashboard' and 'community', while the second level trains the 'Hero' for moderating YouTube while also allowing them to participate in a video chat with other 'Heroes'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh_1966vaIA&feature=youtu.be

The third level begins the Heroes' moderation duties in earnest by allowing the Hero to mass flag YouTube videos and to "help moderate community content". Levels above this will allow Heroes a 'sneak peak' of new products and give them direct contact with YouTube staffers. The most successful members of the program will be enrolled in future tests of YouTube's features and picked to participate in a "YouTube Heroes Summit" of some description.

If you are interested in joining the ranks of YouTube's 'Heroes', be sure to sign up here.

Quick Take:

This is an idea that seems straight out of The Onion. Any YouTuber that has attracted even the slightest amount of controversy should be incredibly wary of this new program. The average user cannot be fully trusted with the maintenance of a website, and from the outside looking in it seems YouTube is determined to destroy itself as quickly and efficiently as possible. I fully expect YouTube to backtrack from this once it becomes widely known, although I wouldn't bet against them doubling down on this program either. Either way, this is an incredibly bad idea, and YouTube's languishing competition would do well to take advantage of this.

What do you think of this new program? Will this radically change how YouTube operates in the future? Let us know in the comments!