YouTube is improving the safeguards of its platform to make it a better experience for minor users. On Thursday, the video-streaming giant announced that it will restrict video recommendations about body weight, fitness, and physical appearance to teenagers. The company said that the decision was made based on suggestions provided by an advisory committee which also revealed that teenagers are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves — the company says that this is reason for the new restrictions on the platform.
YouTube Improves Safeguards for Teenagers
In a blog post, the video-streaming giant detailed the categories of videos that will no longer be recommended to teenagers. It includes videos that compare physical features or idealise one type of feature over others, idealise specific fitness levels or body weights, or emphasise social aggression as non-contact fights and intimidation. This change is being rolled out to users worldwide, YouTube Stops Recommending Videos.
YouTube said the decision was made after an advisory committee shared key insights into the platform’s impact on youth development. “One observation is that young people are more likely than adults to form negative self-beliefs when they see repeated statements about good standards in the content they consume online,” he added. each.
The company said that while watching a video in the above categories is harmful, teenagers may be disturbed by the repeated instructions. YouTube is also improving its Community Guidelines to remove content and ban videos that violate its guidelines.
In addition to this, the platform also offers crisis support messages in some European countries. These posts are designed to help people who are suicidal or self-harming. Users suffering from these issues can visit third-party troubleshooting hotlines if they seek specific questions related to these issues.
To make the platform safer for minors, YouTube is also introducing a new moderation experience. This gives parents and teens the ability to link their accounts. Once connected, parents can view their teen’s channel activity on YouTube. The company says it helps parents encourage and advise on creating an effective program. The feature is still under development, but soon parents will be able to link accounts by visiting a new section called the Family Center.
