YouTube Limits Teen Access to Weight & Fitness Videos

YouTube to Implement New Measures to Protect Youth from Harmful Content

YouTube is making critical alterations to its recommendation policy specially designed to protect teenagers. These changes aim to reduce the exposure of videos promoting specific fitness levels, body weights, or physical features, following warnings from experts about the potential harmful effects of such content when repeatedly viewed.

Changes to YouTube’s Algorithm

While 13- to 17-year-olds will still have access to these videos, YouTube’s refined algorithms will prevent the platform from directing young users towards similar content, known as “rabbit holes.” Even though such content doesn’t violate YouTube’s guidelines, the platform acknowledges that repeated viewing may negatively impact some users’ wellbeing.

YouTube’s Stand on Health and Wellbeing

Dr Garth Graham, YouTube’s global head of health, emphasizes the importance of this change: “During the formative years, teens develop their self-image and standards. An overdose of content featuring idealized standards could lead to unrealistic internal standards, possibly resulting in negative self-perceptions.”

New Guidelines for Content

The platform has now introduced new guidelines that apply worldwide and specifically to content that: idealizes certain physical features, promotes specific fitness levels or body weights, or encourages social aggression. These alterations prohibit pushing such topics towards teens who have registered their age on the logged-in platform. The US has already implemented this safety framework.

The Role of the Online Safety Act

In the UK, the Online Safety Act has recently been introduced, mandating tech companies to protect children from harmful content. It also requires companies to consider how their algorithms may expose minors to harmful material. The Act refers specifically to the potential harm caused by algorithms pushing large volumes of content to a child in a short timeframe. It demands tech companies to assess any such risk these algorithms may pose.

The Impact of Social Media on Self-esteem

Sonia Livingstone, a professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics, highlighted a recent report by the Children’s Society charity stressing the importance of addressing social media’s impact on self-esteem. The Good Childhood report revealed that nearly one in four girls in the UK were dissatisfied with their appearance. Livingstone commended YouTube’s initiative, observing, “This step demonstrates an acknowledgment of the positive impact that platforms like YouTube can create by altering algorithms, particularly benefiting young people with vulnerabilities and mental health issues.”