YouTube is still recommending eating disorder-related videos to teenage users despite new online safety rules introduced to protect children, according to research by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).

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Researchers created a simulated account for a 13-year-old girl in the UK and watched 10 videos focused on dieting and body image. They then analysed the next 100 videos suggested by YouTube’s “Up Next” recommendation system.

The study found that one in 10 recommended videos promoted harmful content, including thinspiration, extreme calorie restriction and unhealthy body ideals. Researchers noted an improvement from 2024, when one in four recommendations contained similar material.

Online Safety Rules Under Scrutiny

The findings come a year after key provisions of the UK’s Online Safety Act took effect in July 2025. The law requires platforms to protect users under 18 from harmful content, including material that promotes eating disorders, self-harm or suicide.

The legislation also requires companies to assess how their recommendation algorithms may expose young users to harmful content and take steps to reduce those risks. Firms that fail to comply can face fines of up to 10% of their global annual revenue.

The report also follows recent criticism from communications regulator Ofcom, which said YouTube and TikTok still need stronger safeguards for children.

Researchers Call for Stronger Protections

The CCDH repeated the same experiment using teenage profiles in the United States and the European Union and reported similar results.

Researchers identified videos promoting dangerously low-calorie diets, thinspiration content and misleading weight-loss claims. They also found that none of the harmful videos triggered YouTube’s crisis support panels, which normally direct users to professional help.

CCDH researchers welcomed the improvement since 2024 but argued that even a single harmful recommendation could put vulnerable teenagers at risk.

YouTube Responds

Google, which owns YouTube, said the company has a strong commitment to protecting users from harmful content.

The company said it prohibits videos that encourage eating disorders while allowing recovery stories and educational content. It added that it removed the videos highlighted in the report for violating community guidelines.

Google also said YouTube works with organisations, including the NHS, Mind and The Mix, to improve mental health protections and provides expert-curated resources when teenagers search for topics such as eating disorders or depression.

Experts Stress Shared Responsibility

Eating disorder specialists say social media can provide valuable support communities, but harmful content remains widespread.

The charity Beat said many people seeking help report encountering dangerous material online. It encouraged users to block harmful accounts, report inappropriate content and use tools that limit screen time.

However, the charity said social media companies must take primary responsibility for ensuring their platforms remain safe for young users.