YouTube declares that it will no longer recommend videos that idealize certain weights or appearances to underage users

YouTube has announced that it will stop recommending videos that promote weight and appearance ideals to teenagers, after experts warned that repeated viewing of such videos could be harmful.

A collaborative approach to teen supervision on YouTube - YouTube Blog
https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/a-collaborative-approach-to-teen-supervision-on-youtube/

YouTube to restrict teenagers' exposure to videos about weight and fitness | YouTube | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/sep/05/youtube-to-restrict-teenagers-exposure-to-videos-about-weight-and-fitness

'YouTube is a place where teens can learn, explore their passions, express themselves and belong. We know that YouTube plays an important role in young people's lives,' the company said, revealing that it will introduce new management features to the platform.

According to YouTube, young users and their parents can link their accounts to receive shared analytics and notifications, allowing parents to understand their children's activity on their YouTube channels and help them create responsible content.

Specifically, by linking accounts in the ' Family Center ,' parents will be able to see the number of videos uploaded, subscribed, and commented on their children's YouTube channels. Parents will also be notified when their children upload videos or start live streaming.

YouTube also said, 'Over the years, we've invested in a variety of features to protect our young users, from taking action against incitement to eating disorders and suicide, to introducing new privacy and well-being protections. And we recently introduced new safeguards to limit recommendations of videos that contain content that may be problematic for teens if viewed repeatedly.'

For example, content that idealizes a particular appearance or weight, such as videos introducing 'beauty methods to make your nose look thinner' or videos introducing exercises to pursue an 'ideal look,' may cause teenagers to realize that they are 'far from this ideal' and fall into self-denial.

In addition, idealizing a certain appearance or weight can lead to denigrating other physical appearances. Of course, videos that idealize a certain appearance or weight do not violate YouTube's guidelines, so teens will still be able to watch them, but they will no longer be recommended to them.

'The frequent exposure to content that idealizes unhealthy standards and behaviors can reinforce potentially problematic messages that may impact how some teens perceive themselves,' said Alison Briscoe Smith, a clinician and YouTube advisor.

'Teenagers are figuring out who they are and what their standards are, so repeatedly consuming content that reinforces unrealistic 'ideal standards' can lead to negative self-perceptions,' Garth Graham, YouTube's global head of health, told The Guardian.