YouTube to restrict teenagers' exposure to videos about weight and fitness
YouTube will limit recommendations of fitness and body image content for teenagers to prevent negative self-perceptions, aligning with the UK's Online Safety Act and aiming to protect mental health globally.
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YouTube has announced new measures to limit teenagers' exposure to videos that idealize specific fitness levels, body weights, or physical features. This decision follows warnings from experts about the potential harm of repeated exposure to such content, which can negatively impact young viewers' self-esteem and body image. While 13- to 17-year-olds will still be able to watch these videos, YouTube's algorithms will no longer recommend related content to them, preventing a "rabbit hole" effect. Dr. Garth Graham, YouTube's global head of health, emphasized that repeated consumption of idealized standards can lead to unrealistic self-perceptions among teens. The new guidelines, which have been implemented in the UK and globally, target content that promotes unhealthy standards, including beauty routines and exercise regimens that encourage specific looks. This initiative aligns with the UK's Online Safety Act, which mandates tech companies to protect children from harmful content and assess the risks posed by their algorithms. Experts believe that these algorithm changes will help mitigate the negative effects of social media on young people's mental health, particularly for those who are vulnerable.
- YouTube will restrict recommendations of fitness and body image content for teenagers.
- The changes aim to prevent negative self-perceptions among young viewers.
- The new guidelines are part of compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act.
- Experts support the initiative as a positive step for mental health protection.
- The measures apply globally, not just in the UK.
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3 commentsIf I'm cynical then I would say this is a pretend solution so that governments don't ask for the full removal of kids and teenagers from these addictive behavior of watching content online. That would be the moral direction in which this should go, or alternatively there would be a different suggestion algorithm for children, not just filters but something less aggressive that would incentivize less usage, but it seems big tech wants as much usage as possible even if it has long term societal consequences.
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