YouTube will stop recommending videos to teens that glamorize fitness standards, weight, or physical features. While teens will still be able to view such content, the algorithm will no longer suggest similar videos.
These videos often promote certain physical traits as “ideal” (e.g., methods to make one’s nose appear thinner), glorify specific fitness levels or body types (e.g., workout routines focused on achieving a particular look), or encourage harmful behaviors (e.g., body-shaming or bullying based on appearance).
This restriction only applies to users who are logged into the platform and have reported their actual age.
YouTube’s Head of Health, Dr. Garth Graham, said: “As teenagers form their sense of identity and develop their own standards, repeated exposure to idealized content can lead them to adopt unrealistic models, potentially fostering negative self-perceptions.”
YouTube said that while the content does not violate its terms, it is introducing the restriction after youth experts warned that repeated exposure could be harmful.
