YouTube announces changes to recommendations for teen users

YouTube is introducing new measures to protect teenage users from being exposed to potentially harmful content. According to James Beser, the director of product management for YouTube Kids and Youth, the platform will now restrict recommendations for videos on specific topics, such as those that promote certain body weights. This decision was made in collaboration with YouTube's advisory board of third-party experts in youth wellness. It was discovered that certain types of content, while seemingly harmless on their own, can become problematic for teenagers if they are repeatedly exposed to them.

YouTube's recommendation system for teen users has been revised as part of a broader update to improve its youth safety efforts. This update also involves enhancing the visibility of "take a break" reminders and crisis resource information.

Social media platforms have faced increased scrutiny regarding their impact on the mental well-being of users, particularly among young individuals. Lawmakers have specifically criticized Instagram and YouTube in 2021 for promoting accounts that showcase content related to extreme weight loss and dieting to young users. Earlier this year, YouTube introduced changes to its policies concerning eating disorder content, including restrictions on certain video types and limiting access to others exclusively for adult users.

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YouTube rolls out new policies for eating disorder content

YouTube in recent years has also updated how it handles misinformation about medical issues such as vaccines and abortion.

YouTube states that it will not repeatedly recommend videos to teen users that fall into the categories of comparing physical features and favoring certain types, promoting specific fitness levels or body weights, or exhibiting social aggression through non-contact fights and intimidation, according to Beser. Allison Briscoe-Smith, a clinician and researcher who is part of YouTube's Youth and Families Advisory Committee, stated that an increase in content that idealizes unhealthy standards or behaviors can convey problematic messages and impact how some teenagers perceive themselves. Briscoe-Smith emphasized the importance of guardrails in helping teenagers maintain healthy habits as they naturally compare themselves to others and determine how they want to present themselves in society.

Like many social media policies, enforcing rules is often more challenging than introducing them. Beginning Wednesday, YouTube will implement recommendation limits in the United States, with plans to extend the policy to other countries next year.

Expanding on the existing features introduced in 2018, YouTube's "take a break" and "bedtime" reminders will now take the form of "full-screen takeovers" on YouTube Shorts and long-form videos. For teenage users, these reminders will appear every hour by default, but parents have the option to adjust the frequency according to their preferences.

The platform is also enhancing its crisis resource panels, which will now be displayed in full screen when users search for topics relevant to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. These resource panels will be accessible to users of all ages and will not only provide suicide lifeline contact information but also offer suggestions for more positive search terms like "self-compassion" and "grounding exercises." Additionally, YouTube is introducing guidelines for parents and teens on how to ensure safe content creation on the platform.