YouTube Implements Global Safeguards to Limit Teens’ Exposure to Harmful Fitness and Appearance Content
In a groundbreaking move, YouTube has announced that it will be expanding its support for teen wellbeing by limiting their exposure to videos that promote unrealistic fitness levels or physical appearances. This safeguard, which was first introduced in the U.S. last year, is now being rolled out globally to protect teens from potentially harmful content.
Over the years, YouTube has faced criticism for exposing teens to content that could lead to eating disorders and other negative effects. The platform acknowledges that while a single video may not be harmful, repeated exposure to such content can be problematic for teens. As a result, YouTube will now limit the recommendations of videos related to these topics to prevent teens from being repeatedly exposed to them.
The recommendations on YouTube are based on what users tend to watch and engage with, making it crucial for the company to introduce these safeguards to protect teens even if the content complies with YouTube's guidelines. Dr. Garth Graham, YouTube's global head of health, emphasized the importance of preventing teens from forming negative beliefs about themselves by consuming content with idealized standards.
In addition to this safeguard, YouTube has also introduced a new tool that allows parents to link their accounts to their teen's account to monitor their activity on the platform. This tool complements YouTube's existing parental controls, which enable parents to create supervised accounts for children under the age of consent for online services.
It's important to note that other social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook also offer similar features for parents to monitor their children's online activity. Overall, these measures aim to protect teens from harmful content and promote their overall wellbeing in the digital space. By implementing these safeguards, YouTube is taking a proactive approach to prioritize the health and safety of its teen users.