The Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) set up a simulated account for a 13-year-old girl viewing unsafe diet and body image content for the first time.
It found one in 10 videos recommended by YouTube’s Up Next algorithm featured thinspiration, extreme calorie restriction or other harmful material, although the situation had improved over the past two years.
Google, which owns YouTube, said it had a “steadfast” commitment to stopping the spread of harmful content and the videos highlighted in the report had been removed.
The findings come after telecoms regulator Ofcom said YouTube and TikTok were still not doing enough to keep young people safe and called for stronger protections.
In July 2025 a key part of the government’s Online Safety Act came into force, meaning sites like YouTube now have a legal duty to protect under 18s from dangerous content including videos that encourage or promote suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.
Sites must also consider how their algorithms – the computer code which recommends new content to users – could be harmful to young people and mitigate any risks.
If companies do not do this they can be fined up to 10% of their global revenues, which in the case of YouTube could run into billions of pounds….Read More
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can learn more about various care options here. EDRC provides support groups and maintains a list of treatment programs in the Bay Area. You can also support EDRC’s mission further by making a tax deductible donation.
