YouTube's algorithm allegedly amplifies eating disorder content to adolescent girls
YouTube's recommendation algorithm reportedly escalated eating disorder content to teenage girls who engaged with weight loss videos, according to research by the Center for Countering Digital Hate. One 14-year-old girl whose feed was filled with such content was subsequently diagnosed with anorexia.
What happened
In spring 2020, 14-year-old Anna Mockel began watching weight loss and diet videos on YouTube while housebound during COVID lockdown. As she watched, the platform's 'Up Next' recommendation panel shifted from videos featuring thin girls to how-to weight loss content, then to videos glorifying skeletal bodies and extreme dieting hacks, with recommendations for 500-calorie daily diets.
Anna copied the content she saw, restricted her diet severely, and was subsequently diagnosed with anorexia. She underwent two hospitalizations and spent three months at a residential treatment center, beginning recovery at age 16.
A report released by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that when YouTube users show interest in diet and weight loss, nearly 70% of videos the algorithm pushes recommend content likely to worsen or create body image anxieties. These videos average 344,000 views each and carry ads from major brands including Nike, T-Mobile and Grammarly.
Reported impact
Anna states that YouTube perpetuated her eating disorder by creating a competitive online community that reinforced her condition and prevented her from recognizing it as a problem.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.