YouTube is set to limit videos idealizing body standards for users aged 13-17 in order to prevent young people from developing negative thoughts and perspectives.
YouTube explained that the reason for adjusting video recommendation features for teenagers is due to concerns that some content may be harmful if viewed repeatedly.
According to YouTube, content about weight and ideal body appearance does not violate the platform’s guidelines. However, repeatedly watching such content may cause young people to develop “negative beliefs” about themselves.
YouTube will restrict teens from watching videos about weight and fitness. Photo: Reuters
Dr. Garth Graham, YouTube’s Global Head of Healthcare, explained, “When teenagers are in the process of forming thoughts about themselves and their own standards, repeatedly being exposed to content about ideal standards can shape unrealistic views, or even lead to negative thoughts about themselves.”
Experts from YouTube’s Youth and Family Advisory Board have also warned that certain content categories might be “harmless” when viewed individually but could become problematic if watched repeatedly.
According to The Guardian, some video content considered harmful when watched over and over includes: idealizing certain physical features, such as beauty routines to make the nose look slimmer; idealizing fitness or weight, such as exercise routines to achieve a specific ideal body; or encouraging socially aggressive behavior, like physical threats.
However, as reported by the BBC, these types of videos are only restricted if users are logged into their YouTube accounts with accurate birthdates. The platform cannot verify whether the declared age is true or false.
Many experts have welcomed YouTube’s move. Dr. Petya Eckler, a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde who researches the relationship between appearance and social media, told the BBC that “more of this kind of policy is needed to improve overall health and well-being.”
YouTube has also announced several ways for parents to monitor their children’s activity on the platform. Specifically, parents can link their accounts to their children’s to view uploaded content, subscriptions, and comments, as well as receive email notifications when their children upload videos or start live streaming.
Earlier, in May 2024, the UK media watchdog Ofcom urged tech companies to redesign their algorithms to steer children away from harmful content.
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Source: Vietnam Insider