YouTube is improving its platform’s security to provide a better experience for underage users. On Thursday, the streaming giant announced it would restrict video recommendations about weight, fitness, and physical appearance for teens. The company said the decision was made based on suggestions provided by an advisory committee, which also found that teens are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves — a move the company said was the reason for the new restrictions on the platform.
YouTube makes teens safer
In a blog post, the streaming video giant detailed the categories of videos that will no longer be recommended to teens. This includes videos that compare physical characteristics or idealize one type of feature over another, idealize certain levels of fitness or body weight, or emphasize social aggression as non-contact fighting and bullying. The change is rolling out to users worldwide.
YouTube said the decision comes after an advisory committee shared important insights into the platform’s impact on teens’ developmental stages. “One finding is that teens are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves when they see repeated messages about ideal standards in the content they consume online,” it added.
The company emphasized that while watching one video from the aforementioned categories may be harmless, repeated suggestions can have a harmful effect on teens. YouTube is also improving its Community Guidelines to remove content and prevent minors from viewing videos that violate its policies.
In addition, the platform also provides crisis support resource panels in several European countries. These panels are designed to help people connect with support for suicide and self-harm. Users suffering from these issues can be directed to external crisis helplines if they search for specific queries related to these topics.
To further enhance the safety of the platform for minors, YouTube is also introducing a new supervised experience. This gives parents and teens the ability to connect their accounts. Once connected, parents can see their teen’s activity on the YouTube channel. The company says it will help parents offer encouragement and advice on responsible content creation. The feature is currently in development, but parents will soon be able to connect accounts by visiting a new section called the Family Center hub.
