The video streaming platform claims that repeated exposure to certain types of videos could damage teens’ self-esteem and body image.
European teens may notice a change in their YouTube recommendations after the video platform said that will stop directing them to some types of health and fitness videosparticularly those that idealize certain body types.
YouTube, one of the social networks most popular among teenagersrecommends videos similar to those that each user has previously seen. That means people can fall into feedback loopswatching many similar videos in a row and sometimes delving into more extreme content.
YouTube first introduced these restrictions in USA last year, and now is expanding them in Europe and around the world, following the guidelines of your youth and family advisory committee.
The new rule is an effort to prevent adolescents from forming “negative beliefs about themselves”Dr. Garth Graham, who runs YouTube Health, and James Beser, director of product management at YouTube Youth, said in a statement.
What videos will YouTube restrict to teenagers?
YouTube has said it will now limit video recommendations that:
- Idealize certain fitness levels o weight groups.
- Compare and idealize certain physical traits.
- Be socially aggressive, that is, show intimidation or fights.
This type of content “may be harmless in a single video, but it could be problematic for some teenagers if viewed repeatedly,” Graham and Beser said.
How do social networks affect body image?
Social media can lead to poor body image, eating disorders and mental health problems, more than 10 people report. 50 studies from 17 countries published last year.
This is because people tend to compare themselves with others that they see on the Internet, they internalize a standard of thinness or physical shape as the ideal body type and objectify themselves.
This does not mean that everyone is affected equally.
Women and girls, people who are overweight and those who already have a poor body image tend to be more affected by social networks, while people who feel good about their bodies and have a high level of social media literacy are less affected, a dynamic researchers call “self-perpetuating cycle of risk“.
Meanwhile, a 2021 study discovered that fitness YouTubers – dubbed the ‘Fitspiration’ community – promote unhealthy behaviors, and that viewers reinforce these practices in the comments.
What other measures has YouTube taken?
YouTube ya restricts inadolescent access to some content related to eating disorders and physical fights.
With the new policy, YouTube can also redirect people to crisis management hotlines when they search things related to suicideself-harm and eating disorders.
The company also said it had worked with organizations Germany and France to prepare the update.
What are regulatory bodies doing?
YouTube and other social networks have come under fire for their effect on mental health and well-being of young peopleand some governments have threatened to take strong action.
In it United KingdomFor example, communications regulator Ofcom in May ordered tech companies to take action to prevent their algorithms from “recommending harmful content for children“, including content on self-harm and eating disorders.
ADVERTISINGThe European Union Digital Services Lawadopted in 2022, also asks the technology giants that limit children’s access to content that may harm their “physical, mental and moral health and development.”
