Two years after testifying before the US Senate about child safety concerns, including exposing teens to eating disorder content, YouTube announced today additional product safeguards regarding content recommendations aimed at teenagers; Specifically, the company said it will limit repeated video recommendations for topics that may cause body image issues, such as those that compare physical characteristics or idealize body types, certain weights or fitness levels. Separately, it will also limit the repeated viewing of videos showing “social aggression” in the form of non-contact fights or bullying.
YouTube said some of these videos may be harmless when viewed on their own, but could become problematic when teens watch the same type of content repeatedly. And, of course, YouTube’s recommendations are determined by the content users interact with, which is why such controls are needed.
The company said it will initially limit repeat viewing of these videos in the US to begin with, with more countries to follow next year — a sign that YouTube is trying to get around proposed child safety regulations like the bipartisan KOSA bill (the Kids Internet Safety Act) proposed last year after hearings on teen mental health. Account Recently added Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA-D) as co-sponsor, following her formal Introduction in May by Senators Marsha Blackburn (TN-R) and Richard Blumenthal (CT-D).
Along with the changes to suggestions, YouTube said it will also revamp the “take a break” and “bedtime” reminders that were first introduced in 2018. Now, these features will become “more visually prominent” and appear more often to viewers under 18. The features are enabled by default in account settings, YouTube notes, and will now appear as full-screen takeovers on YouTube Shorts and long-form videos, with the default “take a break” reminder set for each 60 minutes. Competitor TikTok already has similar reminders, in the form of short-form videos that appear in the For You feed to suggest when users scroll too long.
Image Credits: YouTube
YouTube says it will expand as well crisis resource panel become full-page experiences as viewers explore themes related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. Here, they’ll see resources like third-party crisis hotlines and other suggested prompts to direct them to other topics, such as “self-compassion” or “grounding exercises,” YouTube says.
Image Credits: YouTube
To develop its new standards, YouTube says it is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Common sense networks, a subsidiary of Common Sense Media. The latter will help YouTube produce new educational resources for parents and teens, including “guidance on developing intentional and safe online habits, creating content with empathy and awareness, and best practices for approaching comments, shares and other online interactions.” said the company. Meanwhile, WHO and the British Medical Journal will host an expert roundtable to look at strategies around adolescent mental health, in terms of providing resources and information online. The report is expected to be published in early 2024.
