In a move aimed at protecting the mental and physical well-being of young users, YouTube has announced new restrictions on fitness-related content for teenagers across Europe. This decision comes as an expansion of similar measures implemented in the United States last year.
The video-sharing platform will now limit access to videos that promote unhealthy habits or "idealise" certain body types. This change is expected to affect the recommendations algorithm, which has been known to create feedback loops of similar content for viewers.
Dr. Garth Graham, head of YouTube Health, and James Beser, YouTube Youth director, stated in a joint announcement that the goal is to prevent young people from forming "negative beliefs about themselves." They emphasized that while a single video may seem harmless, repeated exposure to certain content could be problematic for some teens.
The new policy will specifically target:
- Content that idealizes particular body types and fitness levels
- Videos comparing physical features
- Material showing intimidation and fighting
YouTube has collaborated with organizations in France and Germany to develop these updates, focusing on protecting vulnerable teenagers. Additionally, the platform will redirect users to crisis hotlines when they search for content related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.
While this change may result in decreased views for some content creators, it is expected to have a positive impact on the mental and physical health of thousands of teens across Europe. The move reflects a growing awareness of the potential negative effects of social media on young users' self-image and well-being.
As these restrictions roll out, European teenagers will likely notice a shift in their YouTube recommendations, particularly in the fitness and lifestyle categories. The platform's efforts to create a safer online environment for young users continue to evolve, balancing content accessibility with user protection.