In response to the complex relationship between mental health issues and online content, YouTube is updating its approach to videos depicting eating disorders.

While YouTube has long removed content that glorifies or promotes eating disorders, it will now ban content featuring copycat behavior.

Such content may include videos depicting or describing disordered eating behaviors, such as B. voiding after meals or severe calorie restriction and bullying due to weight.

YouTube notes that it will consider context when evaluating nuanced content.

The company’s goal is to create a safe space for community, recovery, and resources while continuing to protect viewers from potential triggers.

Learn more about YouTube’s policy changes here.

Age restrictions and resource boards for crises

Videos that focus on behaviors related to eating disorders that other people may imitate are prohibited.

Eating disorder videos recreation or providing sufficient educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context (EDSA) may remain on YouTube.

However, these videos are given an age restriction or crisis resource panel.

Age restrictions apply to certain content, making it unavailable to viewers under the age of 18.

YouTube’s age-restriction approach to eating disorder videos was developed in collaboration with outside experts.

Working with mental health organizations

YouTube has partnered with experts from organizations like the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) to develop a framework for managing content related to eating disorders.

The framework includes the following:

• Expanding the scope of YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
• Age restriction for certain videos.
• Emerging Crisis Resource Panels under Videos Discussing Eating Disorders.

Crisis Resource Panels provide resources and information from global organizations in support of mental health.

In several countries, these fields appear at the top of the screen for searches related to eating disorders.

The updated framework for content related to eating disorders will be visible starting today and will continue to expand over the coming weeks.

In total

YouTube’s updated policies and features for content related to eating disorders reflect its commitment to promoting mental health awareness and supporting people in recovery.

By collaborating with experts, implementing age restrictions, and expanding crisis resource panels, YouTube is taking significant steps to ensure a safe and inclusive online community.

YouTube will closely monitor the impact of these changes and will attempt to strike a balance between providing helpful resources and protecting vulnerable viewers.

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