YouTube is taking a stand to protect teenagers from harmful health and fitness content by limiting recommendations that “idealise” certain body types. The platform announced that users aged 13 to 17 will still be able to search for fitness-related videos, but will not be encouraged to repeatedly view content that promotes unrealistic standards.
The decision comes after concerns that exposure to such material can lead young people to develop negative beliefs about themselves. YouTube’s algorithm typically recommends similar content for users to watch, but this feature will no longer be offered to teens for certain types of videos.
Experts have praised the move, emphasizing the need for a broader discussion about fitness and health for young people. Dr. Petya Eckler, a senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, highlighted the link between social media use and body image perceptions, stressing the importance of promoting exercise for overall health and wellbeing rather than appearance reasons.
In addition to limiting recommendations, YouTube has introduced new ways for parents to monitor their children’s activities on the platform. Parents can now link their accounts with teenagers in their household to track uploads, subscriptions, and comments, as well as receive notifications when their children upload videos or start livestreams.
This initiative aligns with Ofcom’s call for tech firms to reformulate their algorithms to protect children from harmful content. By taking steps to safeguard teenagers from negative influences, YouTube is setting a positive example for other platforms to prioritize the well-being of young users.
