YouTube has introduced new measures to enhance the safety, privacy, and mental well-being of teenagers on the platform. These updates aim to shield teens from harmful content while supporting their evolving interests.
The company is implementing restrictions on recurrent video recommendations that promote unhealthy ideals or behaviors. Initially launched in the US, this restriction will expand to more countries in the following year. YouTube emphasizes its continued enforcement of Community Guidelines to eliminate content that violates policies on child safety, eating disorders, hate speech, and harassment, specifically safeguarding minors.
YouTube is extending its crisis resource panels, providing users with a full-page experience that offers immediate access to mental health resources when searching for topics related to self-harm, eating disorders, or suicide. This includes direct links to third-party crisis hotlines and suggestions for alternative search topics such as “self-compassion” or “grounding exercises.”
Moreover, the platform is revamping the Take a Break and Bedtime reminder features, making them more visible and frequent, especially for viewers under 18. These reminders will now display as full-screen takeovers across both Shorts and long-form videos, with a default setting for Take a Break reminders every 60 minutes.
Additionally, YouTube is collaborating with experts in suicide and self-harm prevention to reinforce these efforts, not only in the US but also in regions like India. This initiative aligns with their commitment to support the mental well-being of teen users on the platform.
These measures intend to cultivate a more protective environment and encourage a healthier experience for teenage viewers on YouTube.
