YouTube has announced that it wants to restrict the viewing of videos that could harm the mental health of teenagers
YouTube announced on November 2nd that it will restrict "repeated recommendations" of videos that could harm the mental health of teenagers.
IOANA ANDREESCU
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The methods used by digital platforms to attract young people are criticized by authorities, according to AFP.
Videos "comparing physical characteristics and idealizing some over others, idealizing certain levels of fitness or body weights" will no longer be repeatedly suggested to teenagers, first in the United States and then in other countries next year, according to a statement from the Google service.
"Teens are more susceptible than adults to form a negative self-image when they see repeated messages about ideal standards in the content they consume online", acknowledged James Beser, one of the platform's officials.
Last week, over 40 US states launched lawsuits against Meta, accusing its Facebook and Instagram apps of harming the "mental and physical health of young people".
According to attorneys general, the social media giant attracts and holds the attention of young people with addictive features (such as playing short videos that make them watch without realizing the time passing), knowing that such content and prolonged use of these apps cause "significant harm" to their health.
Similar accusations have been made against TikTok, which has been banned by several organizations and the state of Montana for geopolitical reasons and child protection.
Up to 95% of Americans aged 13 to 17 say they use a social network, with one-third of them using it "almost constantly", according to the Pew Research Center.
In May, Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, warned of the "extremely harmful effects" that social networks can have, considering that they play a major role in the "national mental health crisis of young people", especially of young girls who are more vulnerable to the risks of cyberbullying or eating disorders.
YouTube also emphasized the measures already in place to protect teenagers, such as removing content related to incitement to hatred, harassment or eating disorders.
The platform also intends to increase the frequency of alerts to take breaks or go to bed for users under 18 years old.
