YouTube has announced some new safety features for teen users, including a range of additional third party resources to help encourage more conscious, safe online viewing behaviors.

First off, YouTube has partnered with the American Psychological Association (APS) on the release of a new parents guide, which includes “evidence-based recommendations to support teens’ healthy video-viewing habits.”

The new guide, based on analysis of hundreds of studies, aims to provide key guidance notes on how to limit the harms of online content exposure.

As per the APA:

“The APA developed this evidence-based guide to help parents navigate the complex world of teen video viewing. Drawing on decades of psychological research, we examine how video content affects adolescent development, mental health, and well-being.”

The guide includes various specialized segments, including a focus on digital literacy and promoting healthy viewing habits.

Managing the modern connective process can be difficult, as screen time is now a critical social element, as much so, in many cases, as meeting in real life. Which means that it’s a lot different to what most parents grew up with, and as such, guides like this, based on many hours of research, can help to provide more context on how you can help your kids mitigate the dangers of digital connectivity.

YouTube says that APA will also publish a video series in the coming weeks to highlight more notes on how to put these learnings into practice.

On a related front, YouTube has also announced a new set of safety parameters that have been guided by its Youth and Family Advisory Committee, a panel of specialist experts in child development, digital media, mental health, and online learning.

YouTube’s latest updates, based on the committee’s advice, are:

New safeguards on repeated topical exposure: Last year, YouTube implemented limits on content related to body image and social aggression, due to concerns that over-exposure to these elements could lead to negative behaviors in teens. It’s now also added financial advice, content that highlights delinquency, and content that depicts teens taking part in cruel pranks to its listing of video types that will be limited for teens.
Increasing the prominence of ‘Take a Break” reminders: YouTube’s also making its “Take a Break” reminders harder to ignore for teens, by expanding them to take up the full screen. These reminders will also now be switched on by default for teens under 18, triggering every 60 minutes, while YouTube’s also adding a default bedtime reminder, which will be set for 10pm. Users can modify the specifics.
Parental advisory based on viewing history: Finally, YouTube’s also adding a new element to its supervised experience in its Family Center which will give parents email notifications about their child’s viewing activity, as well as links to resources to support conversations between parents and teens about responsible content creation.

These updates align with the latest key learnings on adolescent health, and provide more options for parents to ensure that their children are operating within adequate safety parameters.

Which could be a big help to many. You can access the new APA safety guide here.