Survey on YouTube’s Updated Policies for Eating Disorder Content 

YouTube announced that it had updated its approach to video content related to eating disorders by implementing new changes to the Community Guidelines. This was in collaboration with experts in the field to allow the same.

Highlights:

• YouTube rolled out new updates to its Community Guidelines to improve its approach to eating disorders-related content
• YouTube collaborated with third-party experts such as the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) to improve its policies
• The goal of the video platform is to create a safe space for community, recovery, and resources while protecting viewers from potential triggers

Millions around the world suffer from various types of mental health issues. Among them are eating disorders (EDs). Eating disorders are mental conditions with persistent disturbance of eating behavior and physical or mental health impairment. Eating disorders are often triggered or exacerbated by various factors, such as stress, anxiety, negative body image, traumatic experiences, and societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards.

Nowadays, social media plays a vital role in influencing many eating disorder-related triggers.

The social media platform’s primary concern regarding the subject was any “imitable” behavior that content creators could have. Any such imitable behavior could result in possible triggers for those suffering from eating disorders and those on the road to recovery.

Thus, YouTube saw it as important to upgrade its current Community Guidelines, attempting to make the platform a safe space for all.

Here are some of the changes that YouTube plans to implement in the coming months:

• Video content that is focused on eating disorder behaviors and possible triggers will be prohibited.
• Video content centered around eating disorder recovery, with sufficient educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic context (EDSA), may remain on YouTube.
• Eating disorder-related video content will be subject to age restrictions or a crisis resource panel.
• Age restrictions will be applied to viewers under the age of 18.

Overall, these efforts are in an attempt to protect those with eating disorders and, in particular, protect viewers of the video platform.

As the topic is gaining traction, Real Research launched a survey on the topic to gain public perception. Hence, hurry and answer the survey on YouTube’s updated policies for eating disorder content on the Real Research app from April 30, 2023. After that, you will receive 60  TNCs as a reward.