"Mom, I Also Want to Be Thin"... One in Ten YouTube Recommendations Is an 'Eating Disorder' Video

Encouraging the Idolization of Extremely Thin Bodies
Exposure to Content Promoting Excessive Calorie Restriction
Zero Videos Displayed a Crisis Support Panel

A study has found that YouTube continues to recommend videos related to eating disorders to teenage users, even after introducing regulations to restrict harmful content. As concerns grow that the recommendation algorithm can lead adolescents to dangerous content, there are increasing calls to strengthen the safety responsibility of the platform.

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One in Ten Recommended Videos Is 'Eating Disorder Content'... No Crisis Support Information Provided

According to the BBC in the UK on July 13 (local time), the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) investigated YouTube's video recommendation algorithm using a virtual account set as a 13-year-old British girl.

The research team watched 10 potentially harmful videos related to dieting and body image using this account, and then analyzed 100 videos recommended by YouTube's 'Up Next' algorithm.

The results showed that 1 out of every 10 recommended videos was classified as harmful eating disorder content. This included 'thinspo' videos that encourage the idolization of extremely thin bodies and content promoting excessive calorie restriction. Among the YouTube recommendations were videos featuring girls who idealize extremely thin physiques and ones recommending a daily intake limited to 170 kcal.

However, the situation has improved compared to when CCDH conducted a similar investigation in 2024, during which 1 out of every 4 recommended videos was harmful content. The results were similar for accounts set as teenage users in the United States and European Union.

However, none of the harmful eating disorder videos displayed a 'crisis support panel' guiding users to professional support organizations. A crisis support panel is a notification window that appears below videos dealing with sensitive topics such as suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders.

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'Online Safety Act' Implemented in the UK... "Platform Responsibility Must Be Strengthened"

Earlier, the core provisions of the Online Safety Act were implemented in the UK in July of last year. As a result, online platforms such as YouTube are required to protect users under the age of 18 from content encouraging suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders, and to reduce the risks posed by recommendation algorithms to young people. Failure to comply can result in companies being fined up to 10% of their global revenue.

Google, which operates YouTube, stated, "We prohibit content that encourages eating disorders or provides specific methods," and added, "The videos mentioned in the CCDH report were removed for violating community guidelines."

A YouTube spokesperson said, "We are working with relevant experts, including the UK National Health Service (NHS), to improve how we address mental health issues."

Experts warn that the 'thin culture' is spreading domestically as well, especially through TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, heightening the risk of distorted body image and eating disorders among adolescents. There are also growing calls to strengthen platform responsibility to prevent recommendation algorithms from amplifying user vulnerabilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.