A recent study from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) reveals that YouTube still surfaces videos related to eating disorders for teenage users, even after the implementation of regulations aimed at curbing such content. By creating a simulated account for a 13-year-old, researchers found that one in 10 videos suggested by the platform’s algorithm promoted dangerous themes like extreme calorie restriction and thinspiration.
While this marks an improvement from 2024 levels, advocates and regulators argue that current safeguards remain insufficient. Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which took effect in July 2025, platforms have a legal mandate to protect minors from harmful content. Failure to comply could result in fines reaching 10% of a company’s global revenue.
Jazmin Kaur, who battled anorexia during her teenage years, described how easily innocent health searches escalated into harmful exposure. She noted that while some online resources were beneficial, the platform often amplified her vulnerabilities. Although Google stated it has removed the specific videos identified in the report and remains committed to user safety, the study noted that none of the identified harmful videos triggered the site’s crisis support panels.
Victoria Longley, CEO of the charity Beat, emphasized that while users can take personal steps to filter their feeds, the primary responsibility for maintaining a secure digital environment rests with the social media companies themselves. Plans are currently underway for government measures that may restrict access to major platforms for those under 16 by spring 2027.