YouTube still recommending eating disorder videos to teens, research finds
Research from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate indicates that YouTube's algorithm continues to recommend harmful eating disorder content to teenage users. Despite new government regulations and safety duties, critics argue that platforms are failing to adequately protect minors.
Why it matters
The effectiveness of online safety legislation and the responsibility of tech giants in protecting vulnerable youth are critical public health concerns.
Image source, Getty Images By Jim Reed Health reporter Published 10 minutes ago YouTube is still recommending eating disorder videos to teenage users a year after new rules were introduced to curb harmful online content, according to new research.
The Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) set up a simulated account for a 13-year-old girl viewing unsafe diet and body image content for the first time.
It found one in 10 videos recommended by YouTube's Up Next algorithm featured thinspiration, extreme calorie restriction or other harmful material, although the situation had improved over the past two years.
Google, which owns YouTube, said it had a "steadfast" commitment to stopping the spread of harmful content and the videos highlighted in the report had been removed.
The findings come after telecoms regulator Ofcom said YouTube and TikTok were still not doing enough to keep young people safe and called for stronger protections.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in