Highlights
- YouTube launched a mental health hub for teens aged 13–17, offering curated, age-appropriate videos on topics like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders.
- Content is sourced from trusted organisations like the Child Mind Institute.
- Rollout beginning in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Mexico, France, and Australia.
Caption – (Photo by Zulfugar Karimov on Unsplash)
YouTube has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting the mental health and well-being of teenagers. The platform announced the launch of a dedicated section for users aged 13 to 17, designed to make it easier for them to access reliable, age-appropriate information on topics such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders.
The initiative has been announced in a blog post titled “New mental health & wellbeing tools – built just for teens” by Dr. Garth Graham, Director and Global Head of YouTube Health.
How YouTube Mental Health and Well-Being Tools for Teens Work?
Caption – Teens can get curated search results. (Image credit – YouTube Blog)
According to the announcement, going for whenever a teen searches for terms like “depression” on YouTube, a curated row of videos will appear at the top of the search results. These videos are sourced from trusted mental health organisations and tailored to suit the developmental needs of adolescents.
To ensure the accuracy and sensitivity of the content, YouTube partnered with leading mental health experts and organisations, including the Child Mind Institute, National Alliance for Eating Disorders, The Jed Foundation and more.
The new mental health and well-being section will begin rolling out in the coming weeks across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Mexico, France, and Australia, giving teenagers easier access to credible and compassionate support online.
Why This Change?
This new initiative is part of its ongoing effort to make YouTube a more supportive and credible space for young people dealing with mental health challenges. The move comes amid growing concern over teen mental health issues. A 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey revealed that 39.7% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while 28.5% reported poor mental health overall.
The platform’s decision to bring mental health resources directly to where teens already spend their time is a significant step. According to the Pew Research Center, research shows that nine out of ten teenagers use YouTube.
Over the years, YouTube has rolled out several features to promote a safer and more supportive environment for younger audiences. These include recommendation safeguards for sensitive topics, age-estimation technology to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and parental control options that let parents link and monitor their teens’ accounts.
FAQs
Q1. What is YouTube’s new mental health initiative for teens?
Answer. YouTube has launched a dedicated section for users aged 13–17, offering curated, age-appropriate videos on topics like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders.
Q2. How does YouTube ensure the content is reliable and suitable for teens?
Answer. Videos are sourced from trusted mental health organisations like the Child Mind Institute and tailored to adolescent developmental needs, with expert guidance on accuracy and sensitivity.
Q3. Where and when will these YouTube Mental health tools be available?
Answer. The mental health section will roll out in the coming weeks across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Mexico, France, and Australia, with curated results appearing atop relevant searches.