Which Memes Deserve Digital Preservation? See the Online Videos the British Film Institute Selected for a New Archive

'Charlie Bit My Finger’ Video Officially Preserved by British Film Institute

"Charlie Bit My Finger" -- a private family video which unexpectedly became one of the earliest global viral videos on YouTube -- has been officially preserved by the British Film Institute (BFI).

UK’s film body is saving internet memes and viral videos. Yes, “Charlie bit my finger” is on the list.

The British Film Institute is preserving 430 viral videos and memes, including Charlie bit my finger, Badgers, and the Liz Truss lettuce livestream.

Which Memes Deserve Digital Preservation? See the Online Videos the British Film Institute Selected for a New Archive

Viral videos, tutorials, vlogs and live-stream snippets produced across decades offer insight into modern culture and communication, archivists say. This material could be lost without intentional efforts to save it