YouTube's algorithm still exposes teens to eating disorder videos, study finds

A new research has found that YouTube is still recommending eating disorder videos to teens despite introducing new rules to curb harmful content online.

In the study, the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) made up a simulated account for a 13-year-old girl viewing unsafe diet and body image content for the very first time.

As per findings, it was found that YouTube’s algorithm started recommending the videos featuring “thinspiration, extreme calorie restriction or other harmful material.” Around one in ten recommended videos were of such kind, an improvement from one in four in 2024.

These findings show that Google, the parent company of YouTube, falls short of its commitments, aiming to curb the spread of harmful content and videos to teens. It comes after the regulator Ofcom discovered TikTok and YouTube are not doing enough to keep young people safe from online harms.

Despite this progress, experts emphasize that "one video is too many." Researchers still identified content promoting extreme calorie restriction, "thinspiration," and dangerous weight-loss claims.

While YouTube has implemented "crisis resource panels" for certain searches, the 2026 study found these were inconsistently applied. None of the 34 harmful videos identified in their test triggered a crisis panel.

"The wellbeing of our viewers is our top priority, and we work with experts including the NHS, Mind and the Mix to refine our approach to mental health," a YouTube spokeswoman said.

Since July 2025, social media platforms have legally been obliged to protect user under 18 from harmful content that promote self harm, eating disorders and suicide.

In the case of non compliance, the big tech can face severe financial penalties, including a fine of up to 10 percent of annual revenue.

In June, the UK government announced to impose Australia-plus style social media under-16s ban, locking teens out of several platforms including YouTube.