YouTube will restrict recommendations of certain health and fitness videos to teens, including those that “idealize” certain body types.
The company said users aged 13 to 17 will still be able to search for and watch fitness-related content, but they will not be encouraged to watch similar videos repeatedly.
YouTube said it took the action out of concern that repeated exposure to such content could lead young people to have a “negative view” of themselves.
Experts welcomed the measure but said it needed to be accompanied by a “broader discussion” about fitness and health among young people.
YouTube’s algorithm often recommends similar content after a user finishes watching a video and displays related videos in the sidebar.
The platform said it would no longer provide the service when teens view certain types of content, including:
- Videos that compare physical traits and idealize certain types
- Videos that idealize a specific fitness level or weight
- Videos showing socially aggressive behavior in the form of non-contact fighting and intimidation
YouTube said it was taking the measures after its Youth and Family Advisory Council found that “teens are more likely than adults to develop negative views of themselves when they see messages about ideal standards repeated in the content they consume online.”
However, the videos offered are only restricted if the user is logged into a YouTube account and has registered an accurate date of birth.
The platform does not automatically verify new users that join.
New users must be 13 or older, however, and may be asked to verify their age if YouTube suspects it’s not accurate.
New users who fail to pass verification will be asked to add a parent or guardian to supervise the account – failure to do so will result in the account being disabled.
Dr Petia Ekler, a senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde who researches the relationship between body image and social media, said she welcomed the announcement because there was a “link between young people’s use of social media and their perceptions of their bodies”.
But she told the BBC more needed to be done.
“This should be coupled with a wider discussion about fitness and health within families, and there should be recognition that exercise is a great way to enhance our overall health and wellbeing, and should not be done just for appearance reasons.”
YouTube also announced new ways for parents to track their children’s activity on the platform.
Parents can link their accounts to the teens in their home to see their uploads, subscriptions and comments, and receive emails when they upload a video or start a live stream.
in May, Ofcom asks tech companies to rework their algorithms Keep so-called “toxic” substances away from children.
