- YouTube has decided to tweak its algorithm so that teenagers are not constantly recommended videos about fitness, makeup, weight management, and beauty standards.
- Parents will also be given a glimpse into what their kids are watching and what channels they are subscribed to.
- This is being done to protect their young minds from developing a negative body image.
YouTube is changing its recommendation algorithm to prevent users from falling into a rabbit hole of fitness and weight-related videos. It will also allow parents to check what their kids are watching and what channels they subscribe to.
It’s important to note that fitness-relegated videos won’t be entirely banned from their feed. However, the algorithm will be tweaked to ensure that they are not watching these videos on a loop.
- The restrictions will be applicable worldwide and will also extend to makeup tutorials, especially those that talk about altering the shape of your nose, eyes, and lips.
- This also includes any video that idealizes a certain type of physique so that teenagers don’t develop a negative body image.
- It will also apply to content that glorifies “social aggression” like intimidation and non-contact fights.
Why Is YouTube Taking This Step?
All of this is being done to ensure the platform is safe for kids and to protect them from forming negative views about themselves. The company took this decision in collaboration with its Youth and Families Advisory Committee.
‘Teens are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves when seeing repeated messages about ideal standards in the content they consume online’ – Youth and Families Advisory Committee
The report also said that although watching these videos every now and then doesn’t cause any significant harm, a higher frequency leads to the idealization of unattainable standards and sends out a wrong message to the users.
YouTube already prevents minors from viewing content that promotes eating disorders and physical fights.
Our Take on YouTube’s Decision
We appreciate YouTube’s concerns over its teenage users and the steps it has taken to protect them from forming negative body images.
Research has shown time and again that most online platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are very addictive. This is because their algorithm has been designed to keep the user hooked by constantly recommending videos based on user interests.
The short duration of the content further adds to the tendency of doom scrolling.
In fact, just last month the family of a New York-based teen sued Instagram for being too addictive. The anonymous 13-year-old was now apparently spending 5 hours on the app every day which was disrupting their sleep cycle, school work, and social life.
It also took a toll on their attention space and increased their anxiety. So it’s a welcome change to see YouTube finally taking some concrete action.
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