A recent study conducted by the Australian Institute for Suicide Prevention and Research (AISRAP) revealed worrying impacts of excessive YouTube use on people's mental health.
The research, led by Dr. Luke Balcombe and Professor Emeritus Diego De Leo of the University Griffith, aimed to explore the effects of the popular streaming platform on the well-being of users.
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Study results
The study found that regular YouTube users are more likely to experience elevated levels of loneliness, anxiety and depression. The most affected are individuals under the age of 29 and those who consume content about other people's lives. In this context, the development of relationships between creators and followers was identified as a possible cause for concern.
Although some cases of breeders establishing positive relationships with their followers, these online connections can exacerbate social anxiety and make interactions difficult in person. This is concerning, as this real-world contact is critical, especially during the development years.
The researchers recommend limiting YouTube use and seeking alternative ways to interact with others as a way to combat loneliness and promote well-being.
Parents, in particular, expressed concern about monitoring their children's habits on the YouTube, as the educational benefits of the platform can be overshadowed by overuse.
improvement opportunities
As a solution, the study proposes the improvement of algorithmic systems in order to direct users to verified positive mental health content.
The researchers emphasize the need to prevent suicide-related content from being recommended with based on algorithms, as this can deteriorate the mental health of users and lead them down a path disturbing.
Although YouTube offers reporting mechanisms, the sheer volume of harmful content makes it difficult to identify and block all inappropriate material. Given these findings, the study suggests the potential value of monitoring and intervention through artificial intelligence for vulnerable children and adolescents who make frequent use of the videos.
Furthermore, the researchers propose the development of an independent algorithmic recommendation system that directs users towards healthier options.
By combining AI-based machine learning, risk modeling and expert verification, interventions Mental health digital technologies could offer a promising solution for dealing with users' emotional issues.
