Five Night's at Freddy's

Over the years, the Scratch moderation team has been thinking (and rethinking) our stance on content that references video games and other media which contain elements that are not suitable for all ages. One popular example we see a lot is Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF).

When content such as FNAF began appearing in the community, we heard from a number of Scratchers who questioned the appropriateness on an all-ages website. We’ve continued to hear from Scratchers, teachers, and parents who have expressed their concerns.

What’s the impact of this kind of content on Scratch? Multiple school districts have blocked access to Scratch. Several parents have reported their children having nightmares. A number of community members have expressed they feel uncomfortable browsing Scratch because of this type of content.

Which elements are considered inappropriate according to the Scratch Community Guidelines?

Graphic Content: Depictions or audio that emulate weapons, gore, or violence.

Intense Themes: Serious or scary topics.

Vulgarity: Disrespectful or mature language.

Jumpscares: Startling images that abruptly flash on the screen.

It is our policy to remove content that is too graphic, scary, or violent. We understand that unsharing and restricting content is no fun — but we hope you understand why this is a necessary step in ensuring the Scratch community remains a friendly and welcoming site for people of all ages.

Content moderation is difficult. We want to ensure that you are all able to express yourselves while also balancing the needs of the community.

Thanks,

Scratch Team

Questions and Answers

Why not implement an age appropriateness rating system on Scratch?

Everything shared in our community should be appropriate for all ages. Any type of age restriction by the Scratch Team, community members, or creators isn’t aligned with this philosophy.

Can I put a disclaimer on my Scratch project to warn people it's not for all ages?

Everything shared in our community should be appropriate for all ages. Any content that requires a disclaimer or warning isn't aligned with this philosophy and would not be suitable for Scratch. If a warning is needed, it is probably not appropriate for Scratch.

Will all Five Nights at Freddy’s and similar content be unshared?

No. We’ll only unshare content that violates our Community Guidelines. For example: An emulation of or conversation about Five Nights at Freddy’s containing any of the elements described above is not okay.

Will this lead to my account being blocked?

In most cases, no. However, continuing to share content that violates the Community Guidelines can result in your account being blocked.

Will I be able to reshare projects removed by the Scratch Team?

Yes, as long as you remove the parts that are inappropriate — the jumpscares, the scary backstory, the frightening images, or any other content that isn’t appropriate. If you have any questions about whether the changes you've made are appropriate for re-sharing, please reach out to Contact Us.

My project was removed. Where can I find it?

If your project violated the Community Guidelines, it was unshared. In most cases you can now find it in your Unshared folder.

Why are you unsharing FNAF projects instead of Scratch projects X,Y, or Z which are far scarier?

This policy applies to all content that is violent, scary, or too intense for all ages. Not just FNAF. If you are aware of other Scratch projects that you feel go against the Community Guidelines, please use the Report button on the projects so we can check them out.

Why are you unsharing my project for being “too scary” when my 6 year-old nephew / sibling / cousin loves it and doesn't think it's scary?

Finding one example of a younger person that is not disturbed by FNAF or similar content doesn't prove that there aren't many others who do find it disturbing. We have heard feedback from many kids, parents, and teachers over the years who feel that some FNAF and similar content in projects are not appropriate for Scratch.

(This policy has been revised as of August 2023)

Summary

Content that is too scary, violent, or intense is not allowed on Scratch. This includes things like gore, weapons, jumpscares, or disturbing themes, even if based on popular media. All projects must be appropriate for all ages, and adding warnings or disclaimers does not make them okay. You can share creative content, as long as it stays friendly and safe for everyone.