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One of the most popular types of video content is the DIY hack, a quick shortcut for making a craft, repairing something, or doing an everyday task. DIY hacks promise clever and simple solutions to all types of everyday problems, but users are cautioned to take these videos with a grain of salt. According to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal, many DIY videos are only good for entertainment because the methods they illustrate may not work in real life and may even pose a safety hazard.One of the videos cited in the WSJ article purported to show users how to create a diamond by microwaving pencil lead. When users tried the hack at home, however, some reported that their microwave ovens caught fire, causing damage to the appliance and in some cases injury to the individual. Another hazardous hack involved cooking vegetables by wrapping them in aluminum foil and placing them upright in a toaster, which can cause an electrical shock or a fire. Though questionable content is often taken down, new videos are created daily and the genre continues to thrive.
Other YouTube creators are capitalizing on the issue by testing DIY hacks on their own channels, in many cases debunking popular hacks that are impossible to replicate at home. Jarvis Johnson is one YouTuber who is making a career of this by testing out popular DIY hacks from channels like Blossom and 5-Minute Crafts, often demonstrating that they don't work as promised and pointing out faked content. Unfortunately, debunking a video can sometimes have the effect of increasing a fake video's popularity, just by drawing attention to it and getting it more views.
Internet users can sometimes identify fake content by Googling the hack to see if it has been verified. In addition, videos packaged as click-bait ("We tried this hack and couldn't believe the results!") should always be viewed with suspicion, say debunkers, and anything that looks too good to be true probably is.
While many popular hacks are packaged as quick and creative ways to accomplish small household tasks, like cleaning a stain or toasting a sandwich, the DIY genre covers more complex and specialized tasks as well. In fact, users can find a how-to video for almost anything, from applying makeup to tuning up a car engine to doing an appliance repair. Even when these videos aren't presented as "hacks," they still may pose risks to inexperienced users.
For example, when someone Googles "DIY stove repair," they can find videos that promise to teach them how to repair or replace electric and gas heating elements. Although the videos generally include safety tips, people who have no experience working with appliances may put themselves at risk. Without the proper experience, say professional technicians, a DIY stove repair or installation could lead to a life-threatening gas leak or electrical fire.
Internet users continue to seek out DIY video content at ever-growing rates, and much of the content they find is legitimate, useful, and not at all hazardous. Every day, people discover new hobbies, learn to make crafts, and get help accomplishing simple tasks from videos posted online. While fake hacks and dangerous DIYs do not make up the majority of online video content, users are still advised to select videos critically and stay away from any project involving electricity.
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