Although YouTube has its own filters, BYU added it to the list of websites blocked by campus online filters because administrators felt there was too much content that could violate the school’s strict standards. The school's honor code prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, and specifically prohibits pornography.
Noting an increasing amount of educational material on YouTube, administrators lifted the ban on Friday, university spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said. Some professors had complained that they couldn’t access relevant YouTube content in the classroom.
“I think there’s no other way but to provide all of it,” Jenkins said. BYU launched a new Web site, BeSafe@BYU, to explain the school’s Internet guidelines and also offers information on Internet hazards like viruses, phishing, and misuse of social networking.