YouTube Prevents Adolescents From Viewing Dangerous Health Videos by Revising Its Algorithm

Nitin Konde, Apoorva Bajj

Sep 12, 2024 — 2 min read

YouTube Prevents Adolescents From Viewing Dangerous Health Videos by Revising Its Algorithm

In a dramatic attempt to protect adolescents from potentially hazardous information, YouTube has stated it will no longer recommend videos to users aged 13 to 17 that advocate certain physical ideals or fitness routines. The dangers of prolonged exposure to such material have been brought to the attention of experts, whose worries have led to this policy revision. Teens can still watch these videos, but YouTube won't recommend them anything similar.

How Did YouTube Arrive at This Decision?

YouTube's worldwide head of health, Dr. Garth Graham, provided an explanation of the reasoning behind this policy change, which is as follows: As adolescents navigate their self-identity and personal standards, persistent exposure to idealised physical norms can create unrealistic self-expectations, which may lead to poor self-perceptions. This can be a challenging development for adolescents.

The Amended Guidelines Target Content That Celebrates Certain Physical Traits

Specific content that encourages social hostility, promotes particular training routines, or glorifies certain physical traits is explicitly targeted by the updated standards. It is possible that a single video does not pose a major risk; nevertheless, frequent exposure to information of this nature has been identified as having the potential to cause harm. This policy is now in place all over the world, including in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is a reflection of the recently passed Online Safety Act in the United Kingdom, which mandates that technology companies protect young users from any potentially dangerous information and investigate the potential effects of their algorithms.

In addition, the necessity of taking prompt action is further supported by the fact that adolescents are frequently exposed to information that idealises harmful norms or behaviours. This content can reinforce negative messages, which in turn can influence how adolescents perceive themselves.

Examples of beauty routines that fall under these parameters include those that are designed to make a person's nose appear thinner, as well as those that encourage a particular appearance through physical activity.

YouTube Advisor Stresses Needed ‘Guardrails’ for Young Users

A YouTube adviser and therapist named Allison Briscoe-Smith stressed the significance of these "guardrails."

According to her, some kids' self-perception could be affected by the prevalence of information that promotes unhealthy ideals or behaviours.

All throughout the world, people are starting to follow the new rules. The UK's recently passed Online Safety Act makes the measures all the more important, requiring tech companies to protect children from harmful content and think about how their algorithms can expose people under the age of 18 to inappropriate content.