YouTube has announced additional safeguards for product content recommendations targeting teenagers, following two years since testifying before the U.S. Senate about concerns related to child safety, including exposing teenagers to eating disorder content.
YouTube explained that it is limiting repeated recommendations of videos related to topics that may lead to body image issues.
These include videos comparing physical attributes, promoting ideal body types, specific weights, or levels of fitness.
Additionally, YouTube is restricting the repetitive viewing of videos depicting social aggression in the form of fights, intimidation, and psychological harm without physical contact.
YouTube stated, “While some of these videos may not be harmful when viewed in isolation, they may become problematic when teenagers watch the same type of content frequently.”
YouTube’s recommendations are driven by user-interaction with content, hence the need for these controls.
The company initially limits this in the United States, with plans to expand to more countries next year, indicating an effort to self-regulate before the proposed child safety regulations, such as the proposed Online Child Safety Act following hearings on teenage mental health.
YouTube is also renewing reminders it first introduced in 2018 to prompt users to take breaks and sleep.
These features are now more visually evident and frequently appear to viewers under 18.
These features are enabled by default in account settings and YouTube Kids, and are now shown in full-screen format on YouTube Shorts and long-form videos.
Users will receive the default reminder “Take a break” every 60 minutes.
YouTube is expanding its Crisis Resources panels to become full-page experiences when viewers explore topics related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.
Users will now see resources such as external helplines and other suggested calls to action, directing them to other topics like self-compassion or grounding exercises.
YouTube has partnered with the World Health Organization and Common Sense Networks to develop its new standards and produce educational resources for parents and teenagers.
