YouTube has decided to stop recommending videos that promote specific fitness levels, physical features, or body weights to teenagers aged 13 to 17.

This change follows concerns from experts who warned that repeated exposure to such content could be harmful to young viewers, as reported by The Times of India.

While teenagers can still access these videos, YouTube‘s algorithm will no longer actively promote them. Dr. Garth Graham, YouTube’s Global Head of Health, stated that the decision aims to prevent the development of unrealistic self-standards among teens. “Repeated consumption of content featuring idealized standards that starts to shape an unrealistic internal standard could lead some to form negative beliefs about themselves,” he said.

The new guidelines specifically target videos that idealize certain physical features, promote specific fitness routines, or encourage social aggression. YouTube’s advisory committee highlighted that while a single video might seem harmless, repeated exposure could lead to negative self-perceptions among teenagers.

This global policy change aligns with the UK’s recent Online Safety Act, which mandates tech companies to protect minors from harmful content and regulate algorithmic exposure. Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, a clinician and YouTube adviser, emphasized that frequent content promoting unhealthy standards could reinforce problematic messages and impact teenagers’ self-image.