Experts warn: Children access dangerous content on YouTube in a few clicks

A growing number of experts are sounding the alarm about the dangers posed by social media and video platform algorithms, particularly concerning their impact on children and young people. A recent study by the UK-based Center for Countering Digital Hate revealed that YouTube continues to recommend content that can foster the development of eating disorders among adolescents.

“

An eating disorder is a huge problem that destroys your child's personality, changing them. You see afterward that it's no longer your child from before.

The research highlights a disturbing pattern: after users search for topics related to nutrition and weight loss, the algorithm frequently serves up videos promoting extreme diets, rapid weight loss advice, or generally unhealthy eating behaviors. Maja Krčelić, president of the association Food and Mother, whose daughter has battled an eating disorder for ten years, described the devastating effects.

"An eating disorder is a huge problem that destroys your child's personality, changing them. You see afterward that it's no longer your child from before," Krčelić stated. The study found that one in ten recommended videos contained messages promoting extreme weight loss or other potentially harmful content.

“

Most often they follow advice, some diets, some examples of how they can achieve a certain figure, they often watch videos related to exercise.

Tamara Kvaz, a media literacy expert, noted that young people often turn to the internet for advice on appearance, seeking out diet tips and exercise videos. However, Krčelić cautioned that seemingly harmless advice can mask a dangerous obsession with food, characterized by rigid control over calorie intake and strict dietary rules.

“

That's a lot of control counting exact calories, what types of food are acceptable or healthy or desirable, how much can and should be consumed. A very strict and rigid scheme.

Health professionals warn that restrictive diets during adolescence significantly increase the risk of developing eating disorders, and social media content can exacerbate the situation. Hrvoje Handl, head of the Daily Hospital for Eating Disorders at Sveti Ivan Hospital, expressed concern that young people can easily stumble upon pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia content. Despite YouTube's claims of removing harmful content, experts stress that such videos remain accessible through algorithmic recommendations, urging parents to engage in open conversations with their children about their online activities.

“

Ah! There are these inspirational videos for girls who are much thinner than me, let's see what they do, there are sites, let's see those sites, so-called sites for bulimia and anorexia, how to vomit, how to restrict, imagine that horror!